Marty Carlson is a regular contributor. He lives in Kenwood.
As summer wound down and convention season wrapped up, the Ward 7 City Council race entered a new phase in September: candidate forums.
Two events were held that month — one at the Loring Green condominiums on Sept. 11, and another at the Bakken Museum on Sept. 15 — featuring incumbent Katie Cashman and Park Commissioner Elizabeth Shaffer. A third candidate, Corey Vest, did not participate.
Candidate forums involve moderators posing questions, with each candidate given a set time to answer. There is no direct candidate-to-candidate exchange, making for a more civil atmosphere than traditional debates.
Civil Tone, Substantive Exchanges
Both forums were calm, orderly affairs. Moderators kept the discussion even-handed, audiences were respectful, and candidates kept their remarks focused on policy. While the tone was largely courteous, the candidates occasionally mixed in light barbs and compliments.
At the Bakken event, sponsored by the League of Women Voters Minnesota, candidates had one minute per response. At Loring Green, the format allowed two minutes. Both events lasted about an hour, including opening and closing statements.
The result gave audiences a chance to hear meaningful contrasts between the candidates on issues such as public safety, fiscal policy, transit, the environment and economic development.
Opening Statements
In her opening remarks at both venues, Cashman described herself as a candidate of change who had “met the moment” as a collaborative council member, working with all 13 of her colleagues and the mayor to author ordinances. She highlighted environmental initiatives, the replacement of street lighting, a new playground on the Loring Greenway and 10 miles of protected bikeways as examples of “common ground” wins.
Shaffer characterized herself as pragmatic and responsive, citing her record of consensus-building on the Park Board. She noted the board’s new endowment, its environmental and clean water initiatives, and the launch of free youth programming citywide. Her top priorities, she said, are respectful governance, livability and public safety, and economic vitality.
Areas of Agreement
The candidates shared positions on several issues. Both supported an assault weapons ban and expressed caution about converting Nicollet Mall to pedestrian-only. Both backed office-to-housing conversions as a downtown revitalization strategy, and both opposed a city-level income tax.
Points of Disagreement
On George Floyd Square, Shaffer said she supports the mayor’s plan and would resist further delay. Cashman argued that “good decisions take time” and that outstanding issues remain.
On decreased federal funding, Shaffer warned of a looming fiscal challenge that should be met with belt-tightening and a focus on core services. Cashman agreed on the challenge but called for lobbying for more funds and diversifying revenue, including a proposed 2% hotel room fee.
On the mayor’s race, Shaffer endorsed
Mayor Jacob Frey’s reelection bid and noted his endorsement of her campaign. Cashman said she has not endorsed a candidate and would work with anyone elected.
Watch the Full Forum
While the Loring Green event was not recorded, the Bakken forum was livestreamed and remains available on the League of Women Voters Minnesota website: lwvmn.org.
