Council Races Set, Absentee Voting Starts This Month

After two candidates pulled their names back at the final minute, the 2011 St. Louis Park City Council election field is set.

There are three spots on the ballot this year. One of those is that of the mayor, but incumbent Jeff Jacobs is running unopposed. The other two spots are at-large seats on the council, and both positions have at least two candidates.

In the "at-large A" race, Steve Hallfin and Justin Kaufman will be squaring off. Incumbent Paul Omodt had filed, but he pulled his name back, citing .

The "at-large B" pool consists of Tim Brausen, Claudia Johnston-Madison and Jake Spano. Lisa Miller had filed to be in this race, but she too pulled her name back. Incumbent Phil Finkelstein announced that he in mid-May.

Because the at-large B race has three candidates, a primary will be help on Aug. 9. That will whittle the field down to two for the general election on Nov. 8. Absentee voting begins June 24.

Check back with St. Louis Park Patch throughout this month for short profiles of all the candidates for the three spots.