On Thursday, the Minneapolis City Council voted to take moderate Ward 3 City Council Member Michael Rainville off the Business, Housing & Zoning Committee and replace him with socialist Ward 9 City Council Member Jason Chavez.
Rainville has a degree in Marketing from St. Thomas University. He worked in the downtown hospitality industry as a dishwasher, busboy, and bartender before joining the Minneapolis Convention & Visitors Association (MCVA). Rainville worked to grow downtown businesses for 35 years at the MCVA, before becoming a City Council member. The MCVA evolved into Meet Minneapolis, the group that promotes Minneapolis, develops businesses and supports tourism.
Chavez worked as a legislative aide at the Minnesota House of Representatives for four years before being elected to the City Council. Chavez also identifies as a socialist and is endorsed by the Twin Cities Democratic Socialists of America.
This vote was supported by the far-left/socialist City Council block and opposed by moderates and a few swing votes. Votes supporting Ellison were Payne, Chughtai, Wonsley, Osman, Chavez, Chowdhury, and Ellison. Opposition was from Rainville, Vetaw, Cashman, Koski, and Palmisano. Jenkins was absent.
Not surprised but disappointed that Jeremiah Ellison voted yes.
Now there’s a fine idea. Replace a business person on the business committee with a socialist.