Harrington says he may want seat Moua is vacating
By Dave Orrick, Pioneer Press
St. Paul Police Chief John Harrington might run for the state Senate to fill the void being left by veteran lawmaker Mee Moua, who announced this week that she won't seek re-election.
"I'm considering it," Harrington said Wednesday, adding that he hopes to make a decision in a matter of days. "I'm hoping to talk to a couple more people ... including Senator Moua."
Harrington, who said he's "intrigued" by the prospect of becoming an elected official, said that if he decides to run, he would probably do so as a Democrat. Senate District 67 covers the city's East Side, where Harrington lives.
He declined to seek a third term as St. Paul's appointed top cop. He was a finalist to become police chief in New Orleans but wasn't selected, leaving him, at this point, jobless when his term expires June 30. He has said he plans to step aside before then so Assistant Police Chief Thomas Smith can take over. Smith was appointed by Mayor Chris Coleman and approved by the city council.
"It occurs to me that this would be a new way to serve the people who I want to continue serving," Harrington said.
Harrington's entry would amount to a big splash in what is expected to be a growing series of ripples of lesser-known candidates jumping into the race.
Moua's announcement shook up the local Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party world just before the filing period for candidates. That period began Tuesday and will end June 1. The DFL has decided not to endorse a candidate before the Aug. 1 primary, creating a potential free-for-all.
As of Wednesday, diabetes advocate Jim McGowan and Avi Viswanathan, an aide to U.S. Sen. Al Franken, were the only candidates who had filed. Both are DFLers. Several other politically active East Siders said they are considering a run.
Republican Krysia Weidell has secured her party's endorsement.
Of the names being bandied about so far, Harrington's would probably lead the field in recognition — a potentially huge factor in such a race.
Harrington's politics have been enigmatic to some observers, and if he decides to run, his choice of party affiliation could have a major impact on the race.
"The chief's job is apolitical, so I've never really made a big deal of my politics," he said. "I was raised in a Democratic family. I'm probably like most cops: I have some conservative views. I would probably line up as an independent in some ways."
Were Harrington to run as an independent, it might ensure an easy coast to the general election but it might also create trouble for DFLers who wouldn't want to lose a seat that, with Mee Moua, has been solidly Democratic.
But that scenario appears unlikely.
Referring to his support for Matt Bostrom, who is challenging Ramsey County Sheriff Bob Fletcher, Harrington said, "I've been working with the Democratic party with my assistant chief's campaign, so I think I would run probably as a Democrat."
By Dave Orrick, Pioneer Press
St. Paul Police Chief John Harrington might run for the state Senate to fill the void being left by veteran lawmaker Mee Moua, who announced this week that she won't seek re-election.
"I'm considering it," Harrington said Wednesday, adding that he hopes to make a decision in a matter of days. "I'm hoping to talk to a couple more people ... including Senator Moua."
Harrington, who said he's "intrigued" by the prospect of becoming an elected official, said that if he decides to run, he would probably do so as a Democrat. Senate District 67 covers the city's East Side, where Harrington lives.
He declined to seek a third term as St. Paul's appointed top cop. He was a finalist to become police chief in New Orleans but wasn't selected, leaving him, at this point, jobless when his term expires June 30. He has said he plans to step aside before then so Assistant Police Chief Thomas Smith can take over. Smith was appointed by Mayor Chris Coleman and approved by the city council.
"It occurs to me that this would be a new way to serve the people who I want to continue serving," Harrington said.
Harrington's entry would amount to a big splash in what is expected to be a growing series of ripples of lesser-known candidates jumping into the race.
Moua's announcement shook up the local Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party world just before the filing period for candidates. That period began Tuesday and will end June 1. The DFL has decided not to endorse a candidate before the Aug. 1 primary, creating a potential free-for-all.
As of Wednesday, diabetes advocate Jim McGowan and Avi Viswanathan, an aide to U.S. Sen. Al Franken, were the only candidates who had filed. Both are DFLers. Several other politically active East Siders said they are considering a run.
Republican Krysia Weidell has secured her party's endorsement.
Of the names being bandied about so far, Harrington's would probably lead the field in recognition — a potentially huge factor in such a race.
Harrington's politics have been enigmatic to some observers, and if he decides to run, his choice of party affiliation could have a major impact on the race.
"The chief's job is apolitical, so I've never really made a big deal of my politics," he said. "I was raised in a Democratic family. I'm probably like most cops: I have some conservative views. I would probably line up as an independent in some ways."
Were Harrington to run as an independent, it might ensure an easy coast to the general election but it might also create trouble for DFLers who wouldn't want to lose a seat that, with Mee Moua, has been solidly Democratic.
But that scenario appears unlikely.
Referring to his support for Matt Bostrom, who is challenging Ramsey County Sheriff Bob Fletcher, Harrington said, "I've been working with the Democratic party with my assistant chief's campaign, so I think I would run probably as a Democrat."
The Huffington Post reported that John Harringont, a peace officer in Saint Paul, Minnesota contributed $200 to the George W. Bush campaign in the first quarter of 2004. What exactly has Harrington done to indicate that he is a Democrat?
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