Thomas Partridge did NOT turn in his paperwork on time (or at all) to Jackie Beaudry’s office after pulling petitions and will only be a write-in candidate. I would like to see someone conduct an-depth interview of him to see where he is coming from – is he trying to set a world record for most appearances before public bodies?

The Mixed Use Party attempted to recruit candidates for all five wards. They were trying to get Omar Hashwi, a student government vice-president for the Fourth Ward, especially if Marcia Higgins would have won the Democratic primary as many saw her as vulnerable.

Another aspect of the Higgins defeat is that City Council is going to have to appoint a new Mayor Pro Tempore to replace Higgins. Right now, Jane Lumm is expected to assume that position due to support she has on City Council. We’ll see how that turns out. Obviously, she will have to win in November, but Kirk Westphal’s support of 413 East Huron may not endear him to voters. I am stunned at all of the local Democrats and Green Party activists that turned out to actively support Lumm last election. Mike Henry, AADP chair, is actively trying to help Westphal get some of those votes in November.
Sabra Briere is trumpeting in her campaign literature about how she voted against 413 East Huron, however the Mixed Used Party’s platform would have prevented approval of this project also.

First Ward candidates have attended meetings:independent Jeff Hayner attended the previous meeting in July and Jaclyn Vresics the one in June. Jaclyn Vresics, although nominally an independent is Libertarian-oriented politically.

The summer meetings have been sparsely attended due to the fact many students are on vacation.

Conrad Brown may make a difference in the Second Ward race and some believe that the First Ward race will be competitive due to Jeff Hayner’s candidacy. The AADP leadership is trying to marshal support for Democratic nominee Kirk Westphal against the two independents in that Second Ward race.