DULUTH, Minn. — Duluth residents cast their votes for change Tuesday, ousting incumbent Mayor Emily Larson for a challenger with a long record of public service.
Larson was seeking her third mayoral term after winning her first two elections handily, but fellow Democrat Roger Reinert set her down, winning nearly 60% of the vote compared to Larson's 40%.
Reinert's campaign touted his life of public service, with time spent as a city councilor, state representative, state senator, naval officer, college instructor and attorney.
"I am not flashy. I am not fancy. I am pretty low-key. I am frugal. I may even be a tad boring," Reinert said. "But I also am competent, capable and experienced. I love bringing diverse people together to find common ground and practical solutions."
Voters who talked to MPR News after voting said it was clearly time for a change, citing Duluth's increasing cost of living and problems like failing infrastructure and a growing level of homelessness.
“I think she's served long enough, and we need a fresh face,” said semi driver Joe Leddy, who also mentioned the positive tone of Reinert's campaign.
During a concession speech, Larson congratulated Reinert and wished him well going forward. Her campaign released the following statement.
When I took office, we faced tough challenges. Duluth had been caught in a squeeze between rising costs and stagnant state aid for two decades, and it was taking its toll.
And then we faced a global pandemic, racial reckoning and the loud noise of polarized politics.
But we didn’t shy away from big challenges. We took on tough issues. We made hard choices. And we created new opportunities so every neighborhood can become a neighborhood of choice and opportunity – where everyone, and I mean everyone, can feel included, safe and be able to call Duluth home.
Duluth is better today because of the work we’ve done together these past eight years. Thank you to everyone who joined me in this work and to everyone who worked on my campaign to continue this progress. Together, 265 campaign volunteers doorknocked 18,000 homes and called more than 8,000 more.
Most importantly, thank you to residents across the community for engaging in and with local government. Regardless of outcome and election result, we live in a community where people spent time to listen, learn, share, volunteer and vote.
I called Roger and sincerely wished him well. Although we ran against one another and competed over our ideas, Duluth needs him to succeed, I truly hope he does and I will work to offer a graceful transition to the benefit of community.
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