Why with all the hubbub of MNFashionWeek, I’ve been off the radar of #MPLS2009, y’know that thing called City Council elections. Of course we’re still “early” since filing is in June, but drama is playing the local politics scene like Michele Bachmann in front of a TV camera.

First, Bob Miller is auf’d! The roving independent we expected to challenge Rybak’s DFL stranglehood with a spirit of neighborhood development and getting all of Mpls (not just Downtown) on the fast track to modernity, has “suspended” his campaign. Steve Brandt broke that news on March 25th.

Although I would have liked to vigorously continue this effort, changes in my family situation have made it impossible for me to put forth the time and effort that this campaign deserves. I am, therefore, immediately suspending my campaign.

Sounds McCainish for the NRP leader since 1992 and it’s possible that Miller will still be on the ballot or resume his campaign. Brandt later goes on April 8th to write in the (fail) Strib that community activist Al Flowers Jr. announced his candidacy. Al’s website (does not) subtly hint at picking up the lighting from Obama’s presidential campaign.

Another name in the hat for Mayor has been John Charles Wilson who believes in and stands for lots of things that would scare the living daylights out of (Lutheran) Norwegians. Brandt noted another name, Richard Franson, who we will follow up on (one day).

Okay WHAT ELSE?

Well this isn’t new but Ward 10, home to Uptown and Josh Hartnett, has had some change ups. Daily Editor Alum & TCS friend Jake Weyer with new reporter Cristof Traudes of Southwest Journal have followed this essentially Southwest Mpls drama closely. Two candidates now vie for the DFL ticket at the DFL convention April 18th. That means this Saturday is primed for awkward tension and contests of who looks better sitting in Remington’s soon to be former seat. The candidates are quite frankly equal in experience and zeal. Meg Tuthill is a respected Uptown business owner who is active in community development decisions while Matt Filner has a green business agenda, politics in his blood, and just as much local board time.

Filner is of course years Tuthill’s junior — will age play? Both live on Lowry Hill and can relate to the typical Uptown demographic growing nascent to electoral participation. However Tuthill already has repore with local citizens — think of how many moms and dads have bought balloons at quite possibly the only balloon shop in all of Minneapolis south of 94. Added to this is the typical Minneapolis voter who has always ranged older.

Filner could tout his sustainable approach to Ward 10′s future but voters might recall similar calls of a relatively youthful 42-year old Ralph Remington in 2005 who has not delivered on much. Remington’s call for police reform landed him in near physical confrontation with the Mpls Police Federation (we don’t mean the MN passive-aggressive kind). His call for more transit as well did not materialize considering the further depletion of Federal transportation dollars during the Bush years and much homework leftover from previous Councils who had set absolutely no infrastructure plan to begin with (see Streetcar Feasibility Study). Remington’s short-lived vie for the mayoral seat have also left mixed signals to previous supporters.

OH AND lastly, we were thrown way off guard:

Thank You! I appreciate the hard work and fervent support from all of my supporters. While I did not earn the DFL endorsement, our work to improve our blocks and neighborhoods continues. I encourage you to get involved with your neighborhood associations and organize your neighbors.

This is from Doron Clark who we hailed as leading Ward 1′s race who did not win the DFL endorsement on April 4th. According to MNProg Clark made the motion to endorse by acclimation after it was rumored candidate Kevin Reich‘s potential windfall of 68% of the ballot vote. As you know we listed Reich as dropped which was the consensus of the Mpls Issues Forum, oops! It appears Jose Velez is still in the race racking up endorsements of Nordeast’s industrial unions. Also a name that has floated often is Susan Howitz Hanna who has been working behind the scenes. Power Liberal has an amusing interview with her. She too was vying for the DFL ticket but her status now is presumably auf’d.