I voted
I cast my ballot today in the special election Nov. 4 for 4 school board members of South Washington County SD #833, and new Senator for SD47. I voted at the new Washington County Center which is essentially behind Kohls Department store, just off Woodlane Drive.
I have lived the same address for the last 25 years, and my entire life has either been in or very close to public education, including 27 years representing public school teachers.
My ballot today was for three school board incumbents, and one new representative. Those who got my vote are incumbents Louise Hinz, Katie Schwartz and Sharon Van Leer, and candidate for newly open position, Elizabeth Bockman Eckberg. The four are recommended by the local teachers union.
Amanda Hemmingsen-Jaeger is my choice for Senator in SD47. She has been my state representative and I have been very pleased with her approach to the job of representing not only ourselves, but all citizens. She is endorsed by a large group of organizations.
The campaign fliers for all are here, for the School Board candidates, and for Amanda Hemmingsen-Jaeger: 1). School Board ISD 833 Nov 4 2025; 2). School Board ISD 833 Bockman Eckberg Nov 4 2025; 3) Amanda Hemmingsen-Jaeger SD47 Nov 4 2025
Here are a few personal comments: 1. I strongly support Amanda Hemmingsen-Jaeger for Senate for SD47. She is my local state Representative (47A) and she has been an outstanding representative. There are endless issues for any legislator, and I have a sense that she has the ability to listen to and represent differing points of view, crucial in a government official, particularly now.
2. I endorse the slate of school board candidates supported by the District 833 teachers union. Three of the candidates are incumbents; the fourth is a new candidate. My entire life has been in public education in one way or another. I do not actively engage in the affairs of the local school district, and my assessment is, just from local news over the years. In a large and diverse system (nearing 19,000 students), there are infinite possibilities for conflict about this or that. The school district is well governed even in these difficult times. The three incumbents are positive leaders.
I had the opportunity to hear the 4th candidate present her points of view in person last week. She is a strong candidate. Check out her website.
POSTNOTE: I do note that all of the candidates I’m supporting are women. I recall that earlier in my career, the 1970s and earlier, women were conspicuously absent from elective positions. The present day change is welcome. And men, too, run and are elected in all areas, and probably still outnumber women.
We have a school board election here in Roseville as well with four candidates vying for three open seats. One of the candidates is full subscribed to the MAGA agenda while the other three are not. My wife and i voted as soon as we received out ballots in the mail in early October.
Dick, about the “woman” thing in politics: I’ve noticed that, too, and, in fact, I noticed it quite a long time ago. Right now, here on the Southside of Minneapolis, I am represented by women in these capacities: City Council Member. Park District Board (by district) Member. School Board (by district) Member. Board of Estimate and Taxation Member (one of two). County Board Member. County Sheriff. County Prosecutor. State Rep. State Senator. Lt. Governor. State Auditor. U.S. Rep. U.S. Senator (Two of ’em!).
Some of ’em I like. Some of ’em I don’t. Of the ones who directly replaced a man, I like some of ’em better, some of ’em less well.
My Mayor is a man. When he first ran, I supported a different man. They were both running against our most recent woman Mayor. My Governor is a man. When he first ran, I supported him, but when his predecessor (a man) first ran, I supported a woman (Margaret). Our President, of course, is a man. His opponent both times he won was a woman who I opposed for the nomination or would have, had there been contested primaries.
I’m about to get a new City Council member. It will almost certainly be a man. Everybody and his brother is voting for him, and he’s endorsed by a bewildering variety of office-holders, many of whom do not talk with civility to each other…! I, however, am voting for… a woman, and ranking the for-sure winner #2 on my Ranked Choice ballot. Not that it will matter.
The last time I went to the DFL State Convention as a Delegate, it was to support Deb Hilstrom when she ran for Atty. Gen’l. To replace our last woman Atty. Gen’l.
I am working for two candidates this year, one for Mayor and one for a City Council seat in the Ward next door to (northwest of) my own. Both men. Both running against multiple other men. So I have SOME limited evidence that there are still some men involved in electoral politics…!
And, of course, you and I met 17 years ago when we were both working for the re-election of a woman to a State House seat. In a year when I was also worked for THREE other women running for State House, and door knocking alongside our two State Senators, both women, who were not themselves up for election that year.
There WAS a time when one expected the woman in a contested DFL race to be the more liberal/progressive of two candidates. That time is past, and I think it is THAT, rather than the sheer number of woman candidates and office holders, that signifies that it is no longer much of a big deal that a woman is running for any given office. Next year, we’re going to elect a new U. S. Senator, and it looks like the DFL convention/primary is going to come down to a more progressive woman and a more center-left woman. But two women. Who have each won an office already.