MINNEAPOLIS — Every Minneapolis City Council Member running for re-election won their race this week, but there are two newcomers in Wards 7 and 12 where the incumbents didn't run.
Political observers view the winners in those wards to be more progressive -- or to the political left -- of the council members they'll replace.
One day after a landslide victory in Ward 12, City Councilmember-elect Aurin Chowdhury says she aims to be a consensus-builder.
"As 13 council members, we have to be able to lay out an agenda where these are the things we are going to work for the next two years. No matter how much we disagree, this is where we are going to find agreement on and move forward," Chowdhury said in an interview with KARE 11 News.
Political observers are calling the City Council election a good one for progressives to the left of Mayor Jacob Frey — potentially shifting the balance of power on council votes on various issues.
City Councilmember Lisa Goodman, whose vote often aligned with Frey's agenda, decided not to run for re-election in Ward 7 after 25 years. Katie Cashman, seen as a more progressive candidate, was elected to her seat. And Andrew Johnson, often seen as a swing vote in city council, stepped away from his Ward 12 seat after 10 years. Chowdhury won the election for Johnson's seat as the more progressive candidate.
"I think one thing I want to communicate to anyone meeting me right now is it's a new day in Minneapolis, and when I say that, it's time to build consensus in City Hall and have functioning government for our residents," Chowdhury said.
City Council President Andrea Jenkins came from behind to win her Ward 8 race in the second round of ranked-choice voting. During the campaign, her opponent, Soren Stevenson, and his supporters framed Jenkins as "not progressive enough."
"I'm not going to give that much credence. I know my values, my progressive work I've been doing for over 30 years speaks for itself," Jenkins said.
Newcomer Chowdhury — who has built experience for years as a policy aid in City Hall — defines herself as an "independent progressive."
"That's the type of progressivism that I'm trying to bring. Let's always try pushing forward and bringing people in, especially people that might feel like they aren't in the conversation or aren't the loudest voices," Chowdhury said.
Cashman declined a request for an interview.
Jenkins ended up winning by just 38 votes. That is within the margin for a publicly funded recount if her opponent Soren Stevenson requests it. At last check, his campaign said they are still making that decision.
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