Pro-labor challengers surge in Mpls Park races
A surge of pro-labor challengers and democratic-socialist newcomers is reshaping the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board races, with all nine seats on the ballot, several incumbents not seeking re-election, and results that may take days to finalize. At-large contests include incumbents Meg Forney and Tom Olsen, DFL endorsements for Olsen, Michael Wilson and Amber Frederick, three newcomers who identify as democratic socialists (Adam Schneider, Averi Turner and Michael Wilson) and mayoral backing for Mary McKelvey and Matthew Dowgwillo; District 1 now features DFL-backed union organizer Dan Engelhart after incumbent Billy Menz suspended his bid, Districts 2 and 3 are uncontested (Charles Rucker and Kedar Deshpande) and District 4 pits Jeannette Colby and Andrew Gebo against DFL-endorsed Jason Garcia.
📌 Key Facts
- All nine Minneapolis Park Board seats are on today’s ballot; four incumbents are not seeking re-election and final results may take days to be finalized.
- At-large race: incumbents Meg Forney and Tom Olsen are running; the DFL endorsed Tom Olsen, Michael Wilson and Amber Frederick; three newcomers — Adam Schneider, Averi Turner and Michael Wilson — identify as democratic socialists; Mayor Jacob Frey is backing Mary McKelvey and Matthew Dowgwillo.
- District 1: incumbent Billy Menz suspended his re-election bid; the DFL endorsed union organizer Dan Engelhart and Dan Miller is also a candidate.
- Districts 2 and 3 are uncontested: Charles Rucker is unopposed in District 2 and Kedar Deshpande is unopposed in District 3.
- District 4: Jeannette Colby (backed by Mayor Frey), Andrew Gebo, and DFL-endorsed Jason Garcia — whose campaign was interrupted by an appendicitis — are competing to replace Elizabeth Shaffer.
📰 Sources (2)
- All nine Park Board seats are on today’s ballot; four incumbents are not seeking re-election, and results may take days to finalize.
- At-large field specifics: incumbents Meg Forney and Tom Olsen; DFL endorsed Olsen, Michael Wilson and Amber Frederick; three newcomers identify as democratic socialists (Adam Schneider, Averi Turner, Michael Wilson); Mayor Jacob Frey backs Mary McKelvey and Matthew Dowgwillo.
- District 1: Incumbent Billy Menz suspended his bid; DFL endorsed union organizer Dan Engelhart; Dan Miller also running.
- District 2: Charles Rucker is unopposed; District 3: Kedar Deshpande is unopposed.
- District 4: Jeannette Colby (backed by Frey), Andrew Gebo, and DFL-endorsed Jason Garcia (campaign interrupted by appendicitis) are competing to replace Elizabeth Shaffer.