| With current Ramsey County Attorney Susan Gaertner running for governor the important and powerful position of Ramsey County Attorney is open in what's shaping up to be one of the most interesting local races of 2010. So far the candidates are Ramsey County Prosecutor Dave Pinto and Roseville City Council member Tammy Pust. 2006 candidate Cory Tennison was running until he recently dropped out for personal reasons. So far Pinto has the most organized effort, he's hired a campaign manger, set up a web presence and had a campaign kickoff. But the field is not yet set, the most notable potential candidate is St Paul City Attorney John Choi. He's said that he is considering the race and would be a serious top tier contender if he got in.
So I was very interested when I noticed a new group on Facebook "Run CHOI Run!." This sparked my interest. It seems to be a fairly well organized effort with prominent backers. Here's some of what I found out with a little investigation.
Organizers:
The facebook group lists as it's admins two people, Kathleen Murphy and Tammy Tesky Ausen.
Murphy was a delegate to the 2004 Democratic convention, a member of Hillary Clinton's Minnesota steering committee and a IRV activist. Tesky Ausen has been active in DFL politics including serving as Executive Director at Minnesota Women's Political Caucus.
Members/Endorsers:
In addition to the impressive credentials of the organizers the group includes many prominent members.
Former candidate Cory Tennison posted this:
I have been a prosecutor for 8 years, and I know that our next Ramsey County Attorney must not only be firm, but also fair. John has the vision and management skills to be very effective. I am proud to call John a friend of mine and I fully support drafting him into this race.
RUN CHOI RUN!!!
Ken Iosso, aide to Ramsey County Commissioner Rafael Ortega posted this:
John Choi has guts. I've seen him sing "Suspicious Minds" seven or eight times at Karoeke and he really can't sing. The criminals of Ramsey County will have to look out. He's a serious, thoughtful attorney and he'll do a great job for the County.
And I had lunch with him the other day and I'd be shocked if he doesn't run.
And although membership doesn't necessarily mean they endorse the effort other group members include:
Duluth Mayor Don Ness
State Representative John Lesch
Obama for America Minnesota Political Director Dominick Washington
State Representative Sheldon Johnson
2002 DFL Secratary of State candidate Buck Humphrey
All in all a pretty impressive effort for a Facebook group started yesterday. Choi would undoubtedly be a formidable candidate if he gets in the race which seems likely according to Iosso.
Update from Grace Kelly:To this very excellent article, let me simply add that Cory Tennison has sent all of his supporters a letter that I quote with Cory's permission:
Our next Ramsey County Attorney needs to be a minister of justice. This means that violent criminals must be punished to the fullest extent of the law. It also means that when it is appropriate, restorative justice programs, drug and DWI courts, and prosecution diversion should be used to facilitate justice. In the past couple years, I have gotten to know Saint Paul City Attorney John Choi and how he has implemented many of these principles at the city level. We share similar views on criminal justice programs that keep our neighborhoods safe and ensure that justice is served. I firmly believe that John Choi would be an excellent candidate for Ramsey County Attorney and I am hoping that he will choose to run. |
