Two candidates are running for mayor of Maplewood, a suburb of St. Paul where nearly half of the residents identify as people of color.
Mayor Marylee Abrams is facing a challenge from Maplewood City Council Member Chonburi Lee. If Lee is elected, he will be Maplewood’s first Hmong mayor.
Lee led in the August primary with 44% of the vote, followed by Abrams with 31%. Diana Longrie, a former mayor, was knocked out of the race, with 25%.
Abrams, elected in 2019, raised a total of $3,400 for her campaign. She declined an interview for this story. Lee raised $63,836, according to campaign finance reports.
Lee said he thinks Maplewood lacks services and recreation for youth and seniors and wants to fill that gap. He believes the city is ready for someone who will plan for the next 10 to 20 years.
“I think what we really need to do is … cater to the changing dynamics of our community,” Lee said.
Abrams served on the City Council for four years, and as mayor since 2019. As mayor, she expanded fire and emergency medical services, opposed the Purple Line rapid transit plan and focused economic development on Maplewood Mall and St. John’s Hospital, according to her campaign website.
“I am a huge supporter of our public safety personnel and am committed to advocating at the legislature to build a joint police and fire training center in Maplewood. We must protect those who serve and protect us!” her website says.
Polling places close at 8 p.m. Election results will be updated here approximately every 10 minutes throughout the evening.
The post Live: Marylee Abrams faces Chonburi Lee for Maplewood mayor appeared first on Sahan Journal.
