Local GOP MIA? Burnsville, Lakeville Conservatives Absent From Forum

At a transportation forum on Wednesday night, the south metro's DFLers outnumbered GOP candidates 9 to 2, with only one incumbent legislator in attendance, Shakopee's Rep. Mike Beard.

Many of the south metro's Republican candidates were noticeably absent on Oct. 17, when a transportation forum drew just two of the 13 conservatives who had been invited to attend—Eric Pratt and Rep. Mike Beard, both of Shakopee. And while there were many hopefuls at the forum, few actual legislators made an appearance. Of nine incumbents, only one (Beard) came to the event at Burnsville's City Hall. None of Lakeville's sitting Republican legislators were at the forum. All GOP candidates for Apple Valley, Rosemount, Eagan and Burnsville were missing as well. The DFL in Lakeville was fully represented, though several of the party's candidates from elsewhere were also missing from the forum, which sponsored by the I-35W Solutions Alliance, a…

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Election 2012

WATCH: Lakeville City Council Candidate Forum

Lakeville's mayoral candidates participated in an election forum on Oct. 16.

Lakeville's City Council candidates participated in an election forum on Oct. 16. The video of the form can be found online. Moderated by the Lakeville Area Chamber of Commerce, the forum, held at City Hall, included incumbent council woman Kerrin Swecker, as well as challengers David Bares and Doug Anderson. Incumbent Laurie Rieb is vying for mayor, and not seeking re-election to her council seat. Lakeville Patch will follow the election through Nov. 6 election day.

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Election 2012

WATCH: Lakeville Mayoral Candidate Forum

Lakeville's mayoral candidates participated in an election forum on Oct. 9.

Lakeville's mayoral candidates participated in an election forum on Oct. 9. The video of the form can be found online. Moderated by the Lakeville Area Chamber of Commerce, the forum, held at City Hall, included incumbent mayor Mark Bellows, as well as challengers Matt Little and Laurie Rieb. Little and Rieb are both members of Lakeville's City Council. Lakeville Patch will follow the election through Nov. 6 election day.

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