More Locals Pull Papers for June Election

The list of potential City Council candidates for the June election increased on Tuesday.

District 3 Councilmember John Kennedy pulled papers to run for re-election, and former mayoral candidate and Northwest Commissioner Allen Shay threw his hat in the ring in District 7.

Kennedy has raised more than $180,000. for his campaign since July. In 2020, the longtime advocate of police accountability saw his efforts come to fruition as the City Council agreed to form a civilian oversight commission.

The council came together in the national outcry after police Minnesota police killed motorist George Floyd.

Human Relations Commissioner Brandon Lamar has also pulled papers in District 3.

No incumbent in a City Council race has lost an election since Bill Paparian upset Jo Heckman in 1987.

Although no one has pulled papers in District 5, Incumbent Jess Rivas has announced she plans to run for the seat.

Seats in districts 3, 5 and 7 are up for grabs in this year’s election.

In District 7, Vice Mayor Andy Wilson, who currently represents District 7, has announced he will not seek re-election. Typically, local races without an incumbent draw more candidates.

Shay is the third candidate to pull papers in that district. He currently serves as a Northwest Commissioner.

Shay ran in a crowded field of strong political candidates in the 2015 mayoral race that included eventual winner Terry Tornek, then-District 1 Councilmember Jacque Robinson and former mayor Bill Thomson.

Recently Shay has advocated for the city to take action against the officers involved in the officer-involved shooting of Anthony McClain. Police fatally shot McClain during a traffic stop in August 2020.

Planning Commissioner Jason Lyon and former commissioner Ciran Hadjian have also pulled papers to begin collecting signatures in District 7.

Candidates are required to circulate nomination petitions to gather signatures of registered voters in order to have their names placed on the June 7 ballot.

The primary election will be held on June 7 if no candidate receives more than 50 percent of the vote, a runoff election will be held on Nov. 8.