Candidate for Mayor, Papa John Kolstad released this statement October 18:

Validity of 2009 Election in Question
By Papa John Kolstad
Candidate for Mayor of Minneapolis
October 18, 2009

For democracy to exist we need freedom of speech, freedom of the press, and the opportunity to vote our choice in elections. In order to vote our choice, we need to be informed by a free and independent press that there is an election and what the issues of that election are.

I believe there is a serious question of the validity of the election this year because the press has been concentrating on the gubernatorial election next year. There have been very few articles even referencing the election this fall for city offices, much less giving full coverage to the issues, thereby denying the public the opportunity to consider who will provide the best leadership among all the candidates.

This is a major failure of the press as well as civic organizations who promote good government, such as the Humphrey Institute and the League of Women Voters. Their indifference to a robust, thorough public debate with the mayor and all substantial candidates does great harm to our democracy and our long tradition of an open and fair public process in Minneapolis.

Papa John Kolstad
papajohnkolstad.com
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This issue of RT Rybak is also reported in the Star Tribune:

If you haven't been paying close attention, you may not know there is an election coming Nov. 3 to pick the best person to parse the city's budget, fight police corruption and make sure the garbage gets picked up.

Some people who want the job have appeared at three or four venues to discuss city issues. So far, Rybak has refused to come out and play. He has, however, appeared at Kolacky Days in Montgomery, where future governors go to eat. A guy only has so much free time.

Find out more about Minneapolis-area candidates at our election page and at Minneapolis City Republican Committee.