“R.T.” Raymond Thomas Rybak is an American Democrat politician, journalist and community activist who served as the 46th Mayor of Minneapolis.
Born November 12th, 1955 in Minneapolis, Minnesota, Rybak was a journalist for Minneapolis Tribune and headed local publications before being elected as mayor of Minneapolis in 2001. He served multiple terms, spanning 2002 to 2014. His tenure was noted for crime reduction, job creation, affordable housing, and balanced city budget. Rybak has been honored with a rare “non-musician” star on the outside mural of the Minneapolis nightclub First Avenue.
August 25, 2005 - Candidates for Minneapolis mayor offered their visions for dealing with public safety issues during a sometimes-contentious debate last night. Organizers invited R.T. Rybak, incumbent Minneapolis Mayor; Peter McLaughlin, Hennepin County Commissioner; and Farheen Hakeem, Green Party candidate to the forum, but before it was over a fourth candidate, Marcus Harcus, forced his way onto the stage to participate.
August 29, 2005 - MPR’s Tom Scheck reports on political repercussions of Hennepin County smoking ban. The Hennepin County smoking ban is becoming a big issue in the race for Minneapolis mayor. Bar and restaurant owners who feel the ban is hurting their business have helped convince Peter McLaughlin, Hennepin County Commissioner, to reconsider his support for the ban. McLaughlin is running against Mayor R.T. Rybak. Rybak says campaign contributions from the bar owners appear to have helped change McLaughlin's mind.
September 7, 2005 - MPR’s Tom Scheck reports on fund-raising in Minneapolis mayoral race. Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak is the top fundraiser among the city's mayoral candidates. Rybak's campaign reports the mayor raised two hundred & forty-five thousand dollars between January 1st and August 30th. Rybak's top challenger, Peter McLaughlin, Hennepin County Commissioner, raised two hundred & eleven thousand dollars over the same period. Farheen Hakeem, Green Party Candidate, raised less than ten thousand dollars. The fundraising totals were released on the same day the city's police union started a campaign to unseat Rybak.
September 14, 2005 - MPR’s Tom Scheck reports on Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak primary win. Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak will face Hennepin County Commissioner Peter McLaughlin in the race for mayor of Minneapolis. Rybak advanced to the November ballot after receiving 44 percent of the vote. McLaughlin received 35 percent. Rybak says the primary victory gives him the needed momentum to win in November but McLaughlin says Rybak doesn't have the support he thinks he has.
October 6, 2005 - MPR’s Tom Scheck reports on first mayoral debate between candidates Mayor R.T. Rybak and Hennepin County Commissioner Peter McLaughlin since the September 13th primary. The two candidates sparred over city spending, public transportation, and crime. The candidates also fielded questions from residents of the high rises along Cedar Avenue where the debate took place.
October 28, 2005 - MPR’s Tom Scheck summary report on MPR Minneapolis mayoral debate. With less than two weeks before the November 8th election, the two candidates running for mayor of Minneapolis are having some heated exchanges over who's better prepared to lead the city. Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak and Hennepin County Commissioner Peter McLaughlin sparred in a debate sponsored by Minnesota Public Radio. They discussed issues of crime, city finances, and smoking bans.
October 31, 2005 - MPR’s Tom Scheck reports that a University of Minnesota poll shows Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak leading Hennepin County Commissioner Peter McLaughlin by nine percentage points in the race for mayor of Minneapolis. Rybak's lead is greater than the poll's margin of error of plus or minus five percentage points. Rybak says the survey proves he's the best candidate to lead the city over the next four years. But McLaughlin says he's encouraged that the mayor has support from less than a majority of those polled.
November 2, 2005 - MPR’s Tom Scheck reports on political spending in last week of Minneapolis mayoral race. With less than a week to go before voters elect the next mayor of Minneapolis, incumbent Mayor R.T. Rybak is leading Hennepin County Commissioner Peter McLaughlin in fundraising. Rybak has raised nearly three hundred & thirty thousand dollars, thirty-six thousand more than his challenger. McLaughlin... who's also trailing in the polls... is spending his money on television ads that will run between now and election day.
November 9, 2005 - MPR’s Tom Scheck reports on Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak’s re-election. He's gearing up for a second term after voters in the state's biggest city re-elected him yesterday. Rybak defeated Peter McLaughlin, Hennepin County Commissioner, 61 to 37 percent. Rybak says the voters want a mayor who has a positive vision for the city and is independent of special interests.
November 9, 2005 - MPR’s William Wilcoxen reports on current mayor of Minneapolis and the future mayor of Saint Paul meeting for lunch at local Italian restaurant to congratulate one another on their respective victories in yesterday's elections. Mayor R.T. Rybak, Mayor of Minneapolis; and Chris Coleman, Mayor-elect of Saint Paul say they expect to replace the two cities' rivalry with a new era of cooperation on issues that affect both Twin Cities.