Arguing that Uptown needs more consistent representation at Minneapolis City Hall, Council Member Meg Tuthill announced Monday that she'll continue seeking re-election despite losing the DFL endorsement.
Tuthill's announcement disappointed the chair of the state DFL Party, who called it a "miscalculated decision" that could hurt her political standing if she loses and tries to run for office again.
Tuthill's decision makes her the third sitting council member to take the unusual step of challenging the party's endorsed candidate in this year's city election. Yet another council member is running without the party's endorsement after facing an aggressive challenge.
After city planner Lisa Bender snagged the party's nod at the Ward 10 convention in April, Tuthill would not say if she intended to run. She had pledged during the convention to suspend her campaign if she lost the endorsement, but later questioned the definition of the word "suspend." She also responded on an earlier Stonewall DFL survey that she would abide by the endorsement.
"We have been represented by three council members over the past 12 years and each time we train in a new council member, the priorities of the ward get pushed behind," Tuthill said in a statement Monday. "This leaves our residents and the business community shortchanged."
Tuthill, who has served on the council since 2009, added that long-term visions will be important in the ward as development projects proceed at a rapid clip.
Bender won the endorsement after several rounds of balloting, when supporters of Kendal Killian threw their support behind her. Bender said Monday she is running because the ward needs leadership that is "more inclusive, more proactive."
"We don't need a City Council member who goes back on her word, regardless of how anyone feels about the DFL endorsement process or the DFL endorsement," Bender said, adding that voters should be concerned about having a council member who has gone back on her word.
DFL responds
Ken Martin, chair of the state DFL, said party officials are disappointed by Tuthill's decision. "I think it's going to be hard for her to appeal to voters when she says one thing and does another," he said.
Martin added that they will put the full weight of the party behind Bender's candidacy, and hinted that Tuthill may face significant obstacles if she loses and seeks public office again.
"Meg had better hope she wins, because she is taking on the whole party establishment now," he said. "I think it was a really miscalculated decision on her part."
Unlike two of her colleagues, Tuthill did not drop out of contention before losing the endorsement. Council Members Diane Hofstede and Robert Lilligren both withdrew their names before their respective conventions took a vote, in protest of the caucus process.
Council Member Sandy Colvin Roy, the crucial swing vote that secured the Vikings stadium deal on the council, failed to win the DFL endorsement after several rounds of balloting against challenger Andrew Johnson. Johnson will vie for her seat in November.
Because of ranked choice voting, which takes into account voters' second and third choices when selecting a winner, the city will not have a primary to winnow down candidates before the general election Nov. 5.
Eric Roper • 612-673-1732 Twitter: @StribRoper
