Hofstede claims stadium retaliation

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Diane Hofstede says her colleagues on the Minneapolis City Council are retaliating against her for supporting the Vikings stadium.

Council members Robert Lilligren, Lisa Goodman, Elizabeth Glidden and Gary Schiff Wednesday endorsed Jacob Frey, who's running against Hofstede in the newly redrawn Third Ward.

"These are four people who did not support the stadium, and I know this is politics," Hofstede said.

Hofstede was part of the slim, seven-vote majority that last year approved using city sales tax dollars to subsidize the new stadium.

A Frey campaign press release announcing the endorsements made no mention of the stadium vote or of Hofstede.

It quoted council member Gary Schiff praising Frey "because I'm convinced he's the kind of guy who is going to return a phone call, particularly for our small business owners."

Hofstede has drawn criticism from some constituents for failing to return phone calls, according to a 2010 story in the Star Tribune.

The piece says five city council members described her as "indecisive and poorly organized" and "a weak link on the body." It did not name the council members behind the criticism.

Hofstede's campaign came out with its own list of endorsements today. She has support from council members Barbara Johnson, Don Samuels and Meg Tuthill. All three voted for the stadium funding package.

Hofstede photo courtesy of Minneapolis.

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