The race to fill the Minnesota state senate seat previously occupied by the late Diane Loeffler presents voters will clear distinguishable choices reflecting both the diversity of district, which covers the east side of Minneapolis, and of the DFL in the Twin Cities.
I'm a web editor at WCCO Radio, and live in the district, so I spoke with all 12 candidates. In terms of money raised (at least based on the preliminary campaign finance reports), and endorsements, three candidates stand out from the pack.
Jessica Intermill, who lead the pack in terms of money raised from individual donors at just over $16,000, is one of two candidates who said they ran specifully to reform healthcare (the other being Susan Whitaker). Her experience as a tribal nations lawyer, both representing tribes in court and helping tribal leaders develop tribal law, gives her a unique way of looking at the legislative process. She gave nuanced answers that looked at the relationship between the different factors involved.
Starting with Mohamed Barre, #60A. https://t.co/aWqNngWsre
— Jared Goyette (@JaredGoyette) January 16, 2020Looking at the rest of the pack, Saciido Shaie’s deep community ties and record of service mean she should not be underestimated.
Piyali Nath Dalal, one of several first time runners, connecting her life experiance as a mother, a child of immigrants and as someone who grew up in a rural area to how she would represent the district.
Now again with @aaron76er https://t.co/iabVx5klF4— Jared Goyette (@JaredGoyette) January 19, 2020
Aswar Rahman counts on the backing of the Police Officer Federation of Minneapolis, and is running a campaign focused on stopping gentrification in northeast Minneapolis.
Now @WhitakerFor60A #60A https://t.co/ciDgBbSlEf
— Jared Goyette (@JaredGoyette) January 19, 2020Amal Ibrahim seems to have a robust ground operation with lots of volunteers, which could be key in a race where turnout is expected to be low.
Trying again with @AmalForMN #60A https://t.co/VgqMu7HYql
— Jared Goyette (@JaredGoyette) January 19, 2020Zachary Wefel, who previously ran for city council in Minneapolis, is a policy wonk who always has the last word on Twitter. He wants to legalize marijuana and opposes rent control.
Now again with @aaron76er https://t.co/iabVx5klF4
— Jared Goyette (@JaredGoyette) January 19, 2020Mohamed Issa Barre spoke eloquently about serving as a bridge between different parts of the community.
Starting with Mohamed Barre, #60A. https://t.co/aWqNngWsre
— Jared Goyette (@JaredGoyette) January 16, 2020Realtor Aaron Neuman focused on need to protect the creative economy in Northeast Minneapolis from gentrification, and of the need to for more environmental regulations for Northern Metal and the GAF shingling plant.
Now again with @aaron76er https://t.co/iabVx5klF4
— Jared Goyette (@JaredGoyette) January 19, 2020Susan Whitaker, a fourth-generation northeast Minneapolis resident, was a friend of Loeffler’s, and wants to continue her legacy.
Now @WhitakerFor60A #60A https://t.co/ciDgBbSlEf
— Jared Goyette (@JaredGoyette) January 19, 2020
