There are high-profile election races this year such as the one for President that are making headlines.
But there are several decisions voters will need to make that are at much more local level.
Wayzata is a good example with several races to be uniquely decided by the city’s residents.
Wayzata.com has been tracking local elections throughout 2020 – you can see previous coverage here.
City Council
First off, Wayzata will have a new mayor in 2021 and the make up of the city council will change too.
Current Mayor Ken Willcox is not seeking re-election after 12 years as mayor.
City Councilmember Johanna McCarthy is the only person to throw her hat in the ring for the mayor’s seat. Barring a major write-in campaign of another candidate, McCarthy will be Wayzata’s next mayor.
McCarthy moving a few seats down in the city council chamber will open up an opportunity for an appointment. We’ll get to that in a bit.
Meanwhile, four candidates are competing for two council seats. Incumbents Dan Koch and Alex Plechash are seeking re-election. Planning Commissioners Cathy Iverson and Jeffrey Parkhill running to join the council.
Assuming McCarthy becomes the city’s next mayor, no matter who wins the council race, there will be a vacancy to fill.
McCarthy will vacate her council seat for the mayoral seat. The council will then need to appoint someone for McCarthy’s seat. The drama of the Wayzata city elections will carry over into 2021 with the decision of the appointment.
Minnesota House
Democratic candidate Caitlin Cahill is challenging incumbent Republican Rep. Jerry Hertaus for the Minnesota House District 33A seat.
Hertaus was first elected to the legislature in 2012.
He serves on the House Property and Local Tax Division, State Government Finance Division, Subcommittee on Local Government, and Ways and Means Committees.
Hertaus is a business owner and lives in Greenfield.
Cahill grew up in Plymouth and graduated from the Wayzata Schools. She is serving in her second term as a city council member in Maple Plain.
In a previous interview with Wayzata.com, Cahill stated, “We live in some of the fastest-growing communities in the state, and we need practical, forward-thinking representation to match that growth. Business as usual will not suffice. I will make it a priority to listen to constituents and develop data-driven solutions to make our communities even better.”
Minnesota Senate
Democratic candidate Gretchen Piper is challenging incumbent Republican Sen. David Osmek for the Minnesota Senate District 33 seat.
Osmek was first elected to the legislature in 2012.
He serves as Chair of the Senate Energy and Utilities Finance and Policy Committee.
He is a healthcare consultant and lives in Mound.
Piper is a business owner who grew up in Hamel, and now lives in Wayzata.
In a previous interview with Wayzata.com, Piper stated, “I’m running to put our shared values into action, not the values of a political party. I’m committed to listening to you and being part of constructive, common sense solutions that benefit our communities – all of us.”
Third Congressional District
U.S. Rep. Dean Phillips is up for re-election in Minnesota Congressional District 3.
Phillips, a Democrat, defeated Republican Erik Paulsen in 2018.
Phillips is a member of the House Ethics, Financial Services and Foreign Affairs Committees, as well as the Democracy Reform Task Force and the Gun Violence Prevention Task Force.
His challenger is Republican Kendall Qualls.
Qualls grew up in New York and served in the U.S. Army.
He later worked in the healthcare industry for several companies including Medtronic.
Hennepin County Commissioner
Jan Callison is not seeking reelection to the Hennepin County Board of Commissioners serving the 6th District.
Dario Anselmo and Chris Latondresse are squaring off for the seat.
Anselmo has lived in Edina for 20 years and has worked in the commercial real estate business for 28 years.
Latondresse grew up and raised his family in Hopkins and is currently the Vice-Chair of the Hopkins School Board.
Three Rivers Park District
Incumbent Three Rivers Park District Board Member Marge Beard is running unopposed for the District 1 seat.
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Along with other Minnesotans, Wayzatans will also vote for President and a U.S. Senate seat.
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