In west metro, newcomers step in to win municipal seats

The west metro saw various political newcomers take municipal leadership roles and one nail-biting race after polls closed, with all precincts reporting by Tuesday night.

Bloomington, with four tightly contested races, was poised to see the most leadership change of all the western suburbs.

Council Member Jack Baloga defeated challenger Larry Frost, while small-business owner Shawn Nelson ousted Eldon Spencer, a Minneapolis attorney appointed to the District 2 seat earlier this year.

Patrick Martin unseated incumbent Jon Oleson in a race that was decided by less than half a percentage point. Oleson did not say Tuesday whether he would request a recount.

Housing and Redevelopment Authority Board Member Nathan Coulter defeated Michael Arulfo for the city's at-large seat. He will take over for Council Member Kim Vlaisavljevich, bringing about an all-male council for the first time since 1989.

(See results of Minnesota election contests here.)

In Hopkins, Mayor Molly Cummings won a landslide election to her second term over challenger Bob Ivers. Ivers was criticized in October for comments he made about "ethnics" and "coloreds" coming to the suburb on the proposed Southwest light-rail extension. Both Katy Campbell and Kristi Halverson were re-elected to their council seats.

Minnetonka Council Member Brad Wiersum will succeed Terry Schneider, a longtime mayor who did not seek re-election. A special election could be called to fill Wiersum's seat. Meanwhile, candidate Deb Calvert and incumbent Patty Acomb won the city's two at-large seats.

Winners were declared in three contested St. Louis Park City Council races. Newcomers Margaret Rog and Rachel Harris will represent the city's east side and west side, respectively.

Incumbent Anne Mavity kept the seat she has held since 2010, representing the city's south ward. Council Member Tim Brausen ran unopposed for his north ward seat.

Attorney Gillian Rosenquist won a seat on the Golden Valley City Council, replacing Council Member Andy Snope, who did not seek re-election. Incumbent Larry Fonnest will stay on the council.

The west metro races are notable, as the light-rail line likely begins its proposed expansion there in the near future. The elected leaders also will represent cities as they decide on guidelines for upcoming development.