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Barbara Carlson through the years

August 4, 2017 at 7:51PM
Barbara Carlson; Minneapolis Mayoral candidate; Independent-Minneapolis; 1997
1997 Barbara Carlson; Minneapolis Mayoral candidate; Independent-Minneapolis; 1997 (The Minnesota Star Tribune)

A timeline of Barbara Carlson's public life

1965: A real estate agent, she marries up-and-coming politician Arne Carlson, who shortly thereafter is elected to the Minneapolis City Council.

1977: She and Carlson divorce.

1981: Gives up real estate, is elected to the City Council. While trying to quit smoking, she sometimes sucks a pacifier during meetings.

1983: Marries businessman Pete Anderson.

1984: Has a high-profile falling out with the Republican Party over her liberal-leaning social stances.

1989: Finishes her second council term, loses re-election race in the general election to Pat Scott.

1990: Is hired by KSTP radio to host a talk show that she sometimes conducts from a hot tub.

1997: Publishes a tabloid-esque tell-all book, "This Broad's Life." Unsuccessfully runs for mayor against incumbent Sharon Sayles Belton.

2002: She and Anderson divorce. Leaves KSTP. Breaks her back in a fall, the first of a string of health issues that force her to retire.

October 16, 1985 DISCUSS DIVESTMENT--Minneapolis City council member Sharon Sayles Belton, left, addresses a special meeting Wednesday to discuss a resolution providing for divestment of funds by the City of Minneapolis in the Republic of So. Africa. Listening at right is council member Barbara Carlson. Following testimony the council voted to delay consideration until its next meeting. Sayles Belton is the sponsor of the bill. Larry Salzman, AP Laserphoto
1985 Minneapolis City Council member Sharon Sayles Belton, left, addresses a special meeting Wednesday to discuss a resolution providing for divestment of funds by the City of Minneapolis in the Republic of So. Africa. Listening at right is council member Barbara Carlson. Following testimony the council voted to delay consideration until its next meeting. Sayles Belton is the sponsor of the bill. (The Minnesota Star Tribune)
February 25, 1983 Barbara Carlson 7th ward Alderman January 24, 1983 October 3, 1984 January 1987 Charles Bjorgen, Minneapolis Star Tribune
February 25, 1983 Barbara Carlson 7th ward Alderman January 24, 1983 October 3, 1984 January 1987 (The Minnesota Star Tribune)
November 3, 1981 Barbara Carlson reacted after hearing the tally from the first returns. Barbara Carlson, wearing a flower in her hair and a relieved expression, had recovered from the only drama in Tuesday's City Council races and was hugging almost anybody in the crowded room who wanted to be hugged. The Independent-Republican had just talked to her 7th Ward Democratic-Farmer-Labor opponent, Gary Cohen, and they agreed on two things: She had won and it had been a close race. Unofficial results
1981 November 3, 1981 Barbara Carlson reacted after hearing the tally from the first returns. Barbara Carlson, wearing a flower in her hair and a relieved expression, had recovered from the only drama in Tuesday’s City Council races and was hugging almost anybody in the crowded room who wanted to be hugged. The Independent-Republican had just talked to her 7th Ward Democratic-Farmer-Labor opponent, Gary Cohen, and they agreed on two things: She had won and it had been a close race. Unofficial results showed that Carlson won by 305 votes out of 8,795 cast. That was 49 percent to Cohen’s 45.6 percent. A third candidate picked up 5.4 percent. November 4, 1981 Mitch Kezar, Minneapolis Star Tribune (The Minnesota Star Tribune)
June 14, 1967 Arne Carlson and his wife were in the Carlson election headquarters at the Sheraton-Ritz Hotel Tuesday when they heard the news of Arthur Naftalin's victory. Carlson, a Republican aldermann, had challenged the DFL-endorsed incumbent for the position of Minneapolis mayor. June 13, 1967 Duane Braley, Minneapolis Star Tribune
1967 June 14, 1967 Arne Carlson and his wife were in the Carlson election headquarters at the Sheraton-Ritz Hotel Tuesday when they heard the news of Arthur Naftalin’s victory. Carlson, a Republican aldermann, had challenged the DFL-endorsed incumbent for the position of Minneapolis mayor. June 13, 1967 Duane Braley, Minneapolis Star Tribune (The Minnesota Star Tribune)

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