Key vote today in race for Hennepin County Board seat

Voters in southwest Minneapolis and St. Louis Park are heading to the polls today in a special primary election to fill the seat of retiring Hennepin County Commissioner Gail Dorfman.

Hennepin County's 3rd District covers much of southwest Minneapolis and all of St. Louis Park. Six candidates are listed on the ballot.

The four frontrunners include former state Rep. Marion Greene, former state Sen. Ken Kelash, St. Louis Park City Council Member Anne Mavity and Ben Schweigert, who works as a prosecutor for Hennepin County. Also running is perennial candidate Bob Carney Jr., who is endorsed by the district's Republican Party, and Bob Reuer, who ran unsuccessfully last year in Minneapolis City Council Ward 13.

The top two vote getters in today's special primary election will proceed to the special election on May 13.

There is no DFL-endorsed candidate in the race because DFL organizers botched the endorsing convention. But each of the top candidates boasts a respectable list of endorsements.

Marion Greene: Collaborations are key

Former State Rep. Marion Greene has the endorsement of former House Speaker Margaret Anderson Kelliher, Stonewall DFL and Rep. Frank Hornstein, DFL- Minneapolis, among others.

Greene, who served one term in the House before losing the endorsement to Hornstein following redistricting in 2012, said her knowledge of health care finances and her legislative experience gives her an advantage over the other candidates.

"The people that you work with, the neighborhoods and community partners that you collaborate with in that kind of role," Greene said, "that's probably the only type of job that would match the breadth of issues that come across your desk as a county commissioner."

As a commissioner, Greene said she'd try to create opportunity for struggling communities. She'd try to take a broad approach to issues like childhood development.

"It's not just about funding daycares, but it's also about housing, healthcare, transit so parents can get to jobs, great job training," Greene said. "Supporting families with small children so they're growing up in stable households in those crucial early years when their brains are still developing."

Ken Kelash: "I've gotten things accomplished"

Former state Sen. Ken Kelash was elected to the Legislature in 2008. To avoid a runoff against Sen. Scott Dibble, DFL-Minneapolis, after redistricting, Kelash moved to Senate District 50, but lost his bid for DFL endorsement.

The former carpenter and union business agent is endorsed by a number of unions like the United Transportation Union and former Senate colleagues like Sen. Chris Eaton, DFL-Brooklyn Center, and Sen. John Marty, DFL-Roseville.

As for why he'd make a good county commissioner, Kelash points to the experience he gained working on issues like economic development, transportation, environment and housing in the Senate.

"I passed bills on everything from drawdown on shallow lakes in environmental committee to lead abatement, pilot car legislation and rule-setting for moving oversized objects on highways to criminal background checks," Kelash said. "I have a lot of experience and I've gotten things accomplished."

Kelash said his experience working with the Neighborhood Revitalization Program in Minneapolis and the Workplace Investment Board at the county level means he'd be better prepared to help the county work efficiently with different levels of government as the region prepares for expected population growth.

Anne Mavity: Disparities are central issue

St. Louis Park City Council member Anne Mavity is endorsed by Sen. Ron Latz, DFL-St. Louis Park, St. Louis Park Mayor Jeff Jacobs and Cathy ten Broeke, Minnesota State Director to Prevent and End Homelessness.

Mavity grew up in south Minneapolis and said she's spent much of her life working for non-profits in the area.

"What I offer is a track record of actually doing this work and getting results for our community," Mavity said. "Affordable housing and ending homelessness, this is something that I spent my career doing."

Mavity said she spearheaded an organics recycling program in St. Louis Park. Mavity, a former member of the Minneapolis Civil Rights Commission, said disparities are the central issue facing the county.

"We can do all these other issues wonderfully well," Mavity said. "And if we still have these disparities threaded through education and housing that can predict where you're going to go in your life early on, just because of your zip code or the color of your skin, then we will have failed."

Ben Schweigert: Transit vital to future

Ben Schweigert works as a prosecutor of white-collar crime and legislative liaison for the office of Hennepin County Attorney Mike Freeman, who endorsed Schweigert. He's also been endorsed by the Hennepin County Sheriff's Deputies Association, Teamsters Council 32 and Rep. Susan Allen, DFL-Minneapolis, among others.

As commissioner, Schweigert said he'd help create a transportation system that's healthier for people and the environment.

"That means a future where it's easier for people to use cars less, with expanded transit options, walkable neighborhoods and a better bike infrastructure," Schweigert said.

As a self-identified "lifelong progressive" and former student at Wellstone Action, Schweigert said he'd push the county to address economic and racial disparities.

"I want a Hennepin County that fights inequality and creates opportunities for more people," Schweigert said, "so a more holistic and engaged approach to our early childhood work, and better support for students and their families, and living wages for all workers."

If you go:

The Hennepin County Board administers a budget of nearly $1.8 billion. Much of it is spent on health care, public safety and human services across the county.

One of the most contentious issues facing the area is the fate of the Southwest light rail line. Each of the four frontrunners said they'd try to move the light rail project forward and promote compromise.

Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Residents can find their polling place at the Minnesota Secretary of State's website.