[Mpls] 13th Ward Race

[Jason C Stone]

Speaking from my recent experience as a first-time candidate promoting reform on the Park Board,
I've found that DFL delegates have much more sophisticated criteria for their endorsement vote
than 'who will abide by the endorsement'.  Most are concerned with what is best for the community.
 That makes the DFL and our community better.  

'The Park Board has a transparency problem' is much more compelling than 'I am the only candidate
in this race that will abide by the DFL endorsement'.

The candidates below arrived at their decisions about the endorsement for different reasons, but
should all be commended for their integrity and honesty!
 
Regards,
Jason Stone
Diamond Lake
Park Board District 5 Candidate

--- Nikkicarlson001 at aol.com wrote:
> Does the DFL endorsement process strengthen the party? Does disregarding the 
> endorsement weaken the party? What's better, to seek the endorsement but not 
> respect it, or not to seek the endorsement because one doesn't plan to abide by 
> it?
> 
> Betsy Hodges said, “I won’t discard my political affiliation when it no 
> longer fits my political ambitions.”  This is either a dig at Lisa McDonald 
> because she is not seeking the DFL endorsement for 13th ward, or at R.T. for not 
> committing to abide by the city DFL endorsement.
> 
> Lisa McDonald said, "I think it is disrespectful to seek the endorsement if I 
> do not plan to abide by it."
> 
> R.T. Rybak said, "I seek your endorsement, but I do not plan to abide by it. 
> I respect the endorsement process but I want to give all the voters in the 
> city an opportunity to have their voices heard."
> 
> So if a candidate does not plan to abide by an endorsement, should s/he seek 
> it? I am interested in some opinions. I am interested as a citizen, a voter, a 
> delegate, and as chair of the DFL for Hennepin County.