2001 Saint Paul mayoral election

The 2001 Saint Paul mayoral election in the U.S. state of Minnesota held a scheduled primary election on the 11th of September and a general election on the 6th of November.

2001 Saint Paul mayoral election

November 6, 2001

Candidate Randy Kelly Jay Benanav Party Nonpartisan Nonpartisan Popular vote 29,819 29,416 Percentage 50.07% 49.39%

Mayor before election Norm Coleman Republican Elected Mayor Chris Coleman Democratic (DFL)

Incumbent mayor Norm Coleman had opted against seeking a third term.[1]

The general election was particularly close, with Kelly winning by a mere 403 vote margin.

Candidates

• Marc D. Anderson
• Sharon Anderson
• Jay Benavav, City Council member[1]
• Jerry Blakely
• David R. Buehler
• Bill Dahn
• Tom Fiske
• Honey M. Hervey
• Bill Hosko
• Bob Kessler, former administrative employee for Saint Paul mayor's office[2]
• Randy Kelly, Minnesota State Senator
• Bob Long, St. Paul City Council member[2]
• Louie Lopez
• Roberta "Bobbi" Megard, activist[2]
• Devin L. Miller
• Maryjane Reagan

Primary

A primary was held on September 11,[3] from which the top two candidates would advance to the general election.

The primary coincided with the date of the September 11th terrorist attacks on the United States.

Saint Paul Mayoral Primary results[4]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Nonpartisan	Jay Benavav	11,441	30.36
	Nonpartisan	Randy Kelly	10,006	26.55
	Nonpartisan	Bob Long	6,456	17.13
	Nonpartisan	Jerry Blakely	4,564	12.11
	Nonpartisan	Bob Kessler	2,187	5.80
	Nonpartisan	Roberta "Bobbi" Megard	1,989	5.28
	Nonpartisan	Sharon Anderson	241	0.64
	Nonpartisan	Bill Hosko	191	0.51
	Nonpartisan	Marc D. Anderson	136	0.36
	Nonpartisan	Maryjane Reagan	136	0.31
	Nonpartisan	Devin L. Miller	108	0.29
	Nonpartisan	Louie Lopez	62	0.16
	Nonpartisan	David R. Buehler	57	0.15
	Nonpartisan	Tom Fiske	58	0.15
	Nonpartisan	Bill Dahn	42	0.11
	Nonpartisan	Honey M. Hervey	37	0.10
Total votes			37,690	100

General Election Results

Outgoing mayor Norm Coleman threw his support behind Kelly, and Kelly campaigned as a candidate that promised to continue much of Coleman's leadership style.[1]

Kelly pledged that public safety would be his top priority, while Benavav pledged that housing would be his.[1]

Saint Paul General Election Results[5]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Nonpartisan	Randy Kelly	29,819	50.07
	Nonpartisan	Jay Benanav	29,416	49.39
	Nonpartisan	Write-Ins	320	0.54
Total votes			59,465	100.00

References

1. Wilcoxen, William (7 November 2001). "MPR: Kelly beats Benanav in St. Paul mayor's race". news.minnesota.publicradio.org. Minnesota Public RadioWilliam Wilcoxen. Retrieved 4 May 2020.
2. Wilcoxen, William (31 August 2001). "MPR: Profiling the St. Paul mayoral candidates". news.minnesota.publicradio.org. Minnesota Public Radio. Retrieved 4 May 2020.
3. "Unofficial Results Tuesday, September 11, 2001 Results for Selected Contests in 58000 - St. Paul". electionresults.sos.state.mn.us. Office of the Minnesota Secretary of State. Retrieved 3 May 2020.
4. "Saint Paul Elections Online". www.co.ramsey.mn.us. Ramsey County, Minnesota. Archived from the original on 24 October 2001.
5. "Unofficial Results Tuesday, November 6, 2001 Results for Selected Contests in 58000 - St. Paul". electionresults.sos.state.mn.us. Office of the Minnesota Secretary of State. Retrieved 3 May 2020.