Shakopee voters return former mayor from 2002-03

Bill Mars made Shakopee history Tuesday night, becoming the first mayor to be elected to two nonconsecutive terms.

Mars, who served as mayor from 2002 to 2003, won in a landslide with more than 50 percent of the vote.

He'll replace two-term mayor Brad Tabke, who did not seek re-election. Tabke has brought progressivism and major growth to the south metro city.

Kathi Mocol, a current council member, came in second in the mayoral race with about 36 percent of the vote.

About 4,400 people voted, out of about 20,000 who were registered.

Reached at his home Tuesday night, Mars said, "I'm very proud of our team, and a nice solid victory here for the residents of Shakopee."

Residents agreed this election was important; some described it as a referendum on Tabke's agenda over the past four years.

"There's so much negativity going on in Shakopee right now," said Heidi Burville, who voted at Shakopee West Junior High School. "I felt it was an important year to vote."

Jacob Jimenez said he voted for Mocol because he wants the city to continue to grow.

"It's very important who governs us," he said.

Though Mocol has described herself as more conservative than Tabke, he endorsed her early in the race.

Mars, who's been active on the city's Public Utilities Commission, ran on a platform of increased cooperation among city leaders. In an October interview, he cited "civic discord" on the City Council as one of his main reasons for running.

Mars garnered the support of local conservatives, including mayoral candidate and council member Mike Luce, who dropped out on Oct. 19.

The City Council race also lost candidates late in the game, with the exits of Kari McGuire and Aaron Weyer in October. Like Luce, Weyer said he didn't want to split the conservative vote. He endorsed longtime council member Matt Lehman and newcomer Jordan Olson.

Lehman and incumbent Jay Whiting held onto their seats Tuesday, each winning about 30 percent of the vote. Mocol and Luce will also remain on the council.

Staff writer Erin Adler contributed to this report. Emma Nelson • 952-746-3287