Two significant political events take place today that have ties to the Wayzata community.
One is happening in St. Paul – the other in New Hampshire. Minnesota lawmakers open the 2020 legislative session. Meanwhile, New Hampshire is holding its presidential primary.
Sen. Amy Klobuchar rally Monday in Manchester, New Hampshire/Courtesy amyklobuchar.com
New Hampshire
Wayzata native Sen. Amy Klobuchar is among several Democratic presidential candidates vying for the party’s nomination.
Some polls suggest an uptick for her since a debate this past Friday.
The New Hampshire primary follows confusion at the Iowa Caucuses last week in which issues with a mobile app delayed results.
“If you look at fundraising alone, they claim $3 million since the last debate that’s not a huge amount of money for some of the other candidates but it is a lot of money for Klobuchar,” said Zdechlik. “The crowds at Klobuchar events are getting bigger and she’s doing better in polls in New Hampshire but ultimately the voters will let us know.”
Nevada and South Carolina’s primaries occur later this month followed by Super Tuesday (March 3) in which a number of states hold their primaries – including Minnesota.
“She has put out a new television ad featuring remarks from that debate that she got so much attention for her doing well in,” said Zdechlik. “She’s just going with a sort of full court press trying to do the best she can to turn out voters.”
State Capitol, St. Paul/Courtesy mn.gov
St. Paul
As the ballots are tabulated in New Hampshire, Minnesota lawmakers get back to work at the Capital today.
A new session is scheduled to go through mid-May.
A bonding bill will be one of the big talking points.
In January, Gov. Tim Walz sent lawmakers his proposed $2 billion list of infrastructure projects he wants included in the bonding bill.
Monday’s Iowa Caucuses have squarely fixed the nation’s political focus on our border state to the south. Wayzata native, Amy Klobuchar, and several other Democratic presidential candidates are hoping to win over the Hawkeye State.
A month from now, Minnesota will participate in Super Tuesday. Minnesotans and people living in 13 other states will take part in their own presidential primaries.
Wayzata City Council: Alex Plechash, Johanna McCarthy, Ken Willcox, Dan Koch, Jeff Buchanan
At a local level, let’s fast forward to November – three members of the Wayzata city council will be up for re-election: Mayor Ken Willcox, council member Dan Koch and council member Alex Plechash.
Willcox was elected mayor in 2008 after serving on the city council and the city planning commission. He ran unopposed in 2008, 2012 and 2016. He told Wayzata.com that he is “undecided” as to whether he will run again for mayor in 2020.
Council members Koch and Plechash are currently in their first four-year term. Both ran unopposed in 2016.
Pleschash told Wayzata.com that he intends to run for re-election this year. And so did Koch.
“I really enjoy being on the council and enjoy serving with my fellow colleagues on the council,” stated Koch in an email to Wayzata.com. “I would like to continue serving and currently plan to run for re-election, barring any unforeseen circumstances that would make me change my mind leading up to the filing deadline.”
Considering Mayor Willcox said he is undecided about running for mayor again, Wayzata.com asked the other two council members, Johanna McCarthy and Jeff Buchanan if they would consider running for mayor should Willcox not seek another term.
“I am unsure at this time,” stated Buchanan in an email to Wayzata.com.
“I haven’t thought about it,” stated McCarthy. “I’d want to confer with my colleagues on the council and others, especially Mayor Willcox, before making that decision. It is a big responsibility that I don’t take lightly and would want to ensure that whoever is in that role, that person is the best one to represent all constituents in Wayzata.”
That’s where things stand here in February.
Wayzata.com will continue to track the city council race as we march toward the November 3rd election.
There are a couple of dates to circle on your calendar before then.
Filing for the mayor and the two council member seats begin on July 28. That window closes on August 11.
Below is a list of city council election results since 2000.
Source: Minnesota Secretary of State/City of Wayzata
Minnesota native and Wayzata High School graduate, Amy Klobuchar will speak at a Wayzata Chamber of Commerce breakfast scheduled for May 4, 2016 at the Wayzata Country Club.
Klobuchar is the first woman elected to represent the State of Minnesota in the United States Senate. Since arriving in the Senate, Amy has built a reputation of putting partisanship aside to help strengthen the economy and support families, workers and businesses.
If you go:
Name: Speaker Breakfast featuring Senator Amy Klobuchar Date: May 4, 2016 Time: 7:30 AM – 9:00 AM CDT
Tix: $25 for Members, $40 for Non-Members
Location: Wayzata Country Club
Sponsored by: Wayzata Real Estate, for all of your property buying and selling needs in 55391 and School District #284. By the way, know someone ready to buy or sell? I’m never too busy for your referrals! Dan (952) 473-1000.
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