June 24—ROCHESTER — Candidates in two Rochester City Council races plan to seek letters of support from local DFL organizing units.
Although the city’s charter states that “partisan ballots shall not be used in any election for elective office in the city,” seeking support from a political party is not uncommon.
At the same time, it’s not something that happens in every race or every election.
“It’s not routine,” said Mark Liebow, director of the Olmsted County DFL organizing unit that covers parts of Senate Districts 20 and 24. “Usually we don’t even think about it unless someone approaches us about the possibility of doing it. “
Olmsted County Republicans Vice Chairman Jim Niehoff said the local Republican Party is not planning similar efforts and that he is not aware of any previous official support of nonpartisan candidates.
Neither candidate in the two races said they specifically requested a letter of support from the DFL, but council chairman candidate Randy Schubring and Ward 2 candidate Nick Miller said they inquired about the process after the issue raised by others in the community.
Other candidates said they were surprised to learn the local DFL could issue letters of support.
Liebow said all candidates have been invited to an online meeting with DFL committee members on Tuesday evening, with the expectation that a vote on possible letters of support will take place afterward. All participating committee members are eligible to vote in the races discussed.
A DFL letter of support gives a candidate the opportunity to buy access to the party’s voter base and advertise the support. Candidates can also choose to add their names to sample ballots sent to known DFL voters.
Liebow said the letters are not an endorsement or even a recommendation to voters, but can provide insights for voters.
Schubring said this is one of the reasons he wants to meet with the DFL committee on Tuesday. Although he considers himself a nonpartisan candidate, he said his values and principles align more with the DFL than with current Republicans.
However, he said party politics will not be part of his campaign.
“I will be a nonpartisan candidate and serve as a nonpartisan council president if elected,” he said.
Fellow council leader Shaun Palmer, who is serving his second term as Ward 5 councilor, said the email he received Thursday was the first time he had heard of a political party offering a letter of support.
He said he believes this is outside the rules and has no plans to participate even if it means losing some partisan voters.
“It won’t help the city, but it could help a campaign,” he said. “I’m not that.”
Council President candidate Dean Koutsoukos said he also questioned the invitation when he received it and has no plans to participate.
“To me, it sounds inappropriate. I’m totally nonpartisan,” he said, adding that he sent the information to Minnesota’s secretary of state to see if the process meets election standards.
As a tier one city of more than 100,000 residents, Rochester has the ability to hold partisan elections, but previous councils have chosen to keep political affiliations off local ballots.
In Ward 2, current Councilman Mark Bransford said he was surprised by how many people expected him to take a partisan stance when he ran for office four years ago. He has decided not to seek a second term, but said he supports the nonpartisan nature of local elections.
When it comes to seeking the DFL letter of support, the four candidates running for Ward 2 have differing opinions.
Miller said he sees participating in the process as a way to showcase potential Ward 2 voters.
“I was super excited to have the opportunity to talk about why I’m running and see what alignment that brings,” he said, adding that he would be equally willing to participate in a similar meeting with local Republicans.
He said he is not affiliated with either party but sees value in sharing his stated priorities.
Loring Stead said Friday morning that he had seen the invitation, but added that he is unlikely to turn down an offer to discuss the race and his campaign. He said he is also committed to keeping the race nonpartisan and would make that known to the DFL committee.
“That seems pretty partisan to me, but I would certainly sit down with them and let them make their own decision,” he said.
Tripp Welch said he has no plans to meet with the DFL committee, adding that the nonpartisan nature of the council prompted him to run.
“I think it’s about representing your neighbors and it shouldn’t be a partisan issue,” he said.
Breanna Bly agreed, adding that she is disappointed that the offer of DFL support is being made.
“We need to come together as a council and work together as a council, and the quickest way to sow division is to make it party political,” she said.
The races for council president and Ward 2 are scheduled for the Aug. 13 primary, to narrow the races to two candidates each for the Nov. 5 general election.
