MPR’s Tom Fudge reports that supporters and new Minneapolis Mayor Sharon Sayles Belton celebrate her victory and are grateful for the City of Minneapolis. On the other side, supporters of John Derus say that there will be a lot of change now that Minneapolis is under Sayles Belton's leadership.
Sayles Belton becomes the first Black person and first woman to be elected Mayor of Minneapolis.
[INAUDIBLE]. SHARON SAYLES BELTON: Now, let me just really tell you very honestly, with humility and awe and really with great honor, I really do accept this victory on behalf of all the people of the great city of Minneapolis. Thank you very much.
[CHEERS, APPLAUSE]
TOM FUDGE: Sharon Sayles Belton stood before her supporters as the first African-American and the first woman to be elected mayor of Minneapolis. Sayles Belton won the election with the support of the DFL Party. She stressed economic development during a campaign in which crime seemed to be the number one issue.
She talked about the value of hard work and responsibility, in essence telling voters to ask not what their city can do for them.
SHARON SAYLES BELTON: This community has talked about the fact that it takes a whole village to raise a child. Well, I want to tell you another proverb that comes from the great continent of Africa, and that says that the ruin of a nation begins in the homes of its people, and we got to get our home straight. [CHEERING]
TOM FUDGE: Sayles Belton also reached out to supporters of John Derus.
SHARON SAYLES BELTON: We have common concerns, all of us. We want Minneapolis to be a safe city for everyone, and we want this city to be a city that provides opportunities for everyone. We didn't agree how that should happen, but we all agree that that must be done. And I really want to ask all of the John Derus supporters to join this campaign, to join us in moving the city forward.
JOHN DERUS: We're going to stay here. But, Sharon, if you're listening and if you're out there, I want to tell you, God bless you. We wish you the very best. We wish you a long and a happy tenure as mayor. All of our friends will do everything we can to help you and support you. Good luck and God bless you and your supporters. Thank you very much.
[CHEERS, APPLAUSE]
TOM FUDGE: John Derus's generous concession speech marked the end of a heated, personal, and sometimes bitter campaign. Derus had attacked Sayles Belton's record as council president, laying the problems of crime, high taxes, and municipal mismanagement at her feet. He said the city's government under her council leadership was driving middle class people out of Minneapolis. But on election night, he told his supporters not to abandon the city.
JOHN DERUS: I've heard people say, as a result of this election, they would do this or they would do that or they would move up. Don't do that. Stay with the city of Minneapolis.
TOM FUDGE: Derus said he would not criticize the decision Minneapolis voters made. Some of his supporters, however, said Sharon Sayles Belton would not be good for the city.
SPEAKER: The city is going to see in the next four years a major change. And I think with Derus, we could have stopped the change. Derus is all for the police, against crime. We're getting a lot of welfare in the city. And there's nothing good that's going to be happening soon.
TOM FUDGE: This is Tom Fudge, Minnesota Public Radio, Minneapolis
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