Rochester mayor jumps into partisan politics

Rochester Mayor Ardell Brede kicked-off this morning's get-out-the-vote rally at the Olmsted County DFL Headquarters.

"As many of you know, I over the years as a nonpartisan elected officials have tried to at least publicly be private with my support (of candidates)," he told the crowd of more than 100 DFL volunteers.

But that changed this morning. Brede said he believes this is an important time and he is backing all the area DFL state lawmakers in addition to 1st District Rep. Tim Walz and gubernatorial candidate Mark Dayton. He said Walz's staff calls or e-mail him every week to check what is going on and that the congressman has supported veterans and Rochester's position on rail issues.

"This is somebody we need to have back there," he said.

He also said  that Dayton demonstrated as a senator that he would stand by Rochester on rail issues — even going so far at one time to vow to lay on the railroad tracks to prevent more coal trains coming through downtown. He said Dayton is also needed beacause he would support the early enrollment in Medicaid, which would spar Mayo Clinic from up to $25 million in losses.

"He is a partner we need to have for a city and for the employers here," Brede said. "I urge all of you to tell your friends and neighbors that these are who need to vote for."

It is interesting to see the nonpartisan Rochester mayor endorsing DFL candidates. I did see the Brede is listed on the website for the National Conference of Democratic Mayors.  I guess the question is have past Rochester mayors also done this or not?

 

Comments

[News Travels Fast]

I think he is a Democrat trying not to associate with them.

[Hugh_Brice]

Well, there goes the neighborhood.

[disgusted]

I am totally disgusted. He should stay out of partisan politics. And if he wants to make the position of mayor a partisan one, he should have done it long enough ago so that a credible challenge could have been mounted.

[me]

Brede is a prime example why we need to eliminate the Mayor position in Rochester-waste of space and money