dear rochester residents,
Thank you so much for visiting my campaign website - I greatly appreciate your interest. This website is designed to give you a sense of who I am as a person, why I am running and my perspective on some of the major issues we face as a community. In addition, you can find both videos on specific issues and videos of the candidate forums that have been sponsored. This will give you chance to compare and contrast my experience with governing and policy making with that of my opponent.
A little about who I am – not just what I do.
I am a Mom and I am now a grandmother falling more and more in love every day. I am the daughter of working class parents – the first in my family to go to college much to the consternation of my parents who could not for the life of them understand why their daughter was so driven.
I am now and have always been blessed with relentless energy, optimism, a passion to make a difference and solve problems. When I see a need I jump in – I just can’t help myself. It is what I have done for most of my life – I create a team and we get to work.
As a young woman in Washington, D.C. and a believer in the power of shared leadership, I worked tirelessly to get more women elected to Congress and on legislation to promote economic equity for women. I worked with Democrats and Republicans to solve problems for people.
A few years ago, I saw what I thought was a problem in our community when the Chamber was in a challenging situation. I left my job at Mayo Clinic and went to work at the Chamber – because I believed then, as I do now, that in a community like ours with one very large employer, the voice of the other employers, small business and non-profits has to be strong and must be heard.
I am running to help our City with the significant problems we face today. I want to work with the Council , the Mayor and other government entities to create a recovery for all – not just a few, to help make Rochester the most inclusive city we can be and I will champion strong neighborhoods and a sustainable high quality of life for all residents of Rochester.
Let me conclude where I started. Before my parents passed I think they understood the importance of education to me and my commitment to make a difference. I also believe they would be proud of my accomplishments in building bridges and getting people to work together toward a common purpose. I am pretty sure my Dad would be very proud of me being endorsed by the carpenters and pipefitters unions and also having the support of many self-made, job creating small business men and women in our community.
I am running on my record of strong, passionate and inclusive leadership working at all levels of government, building new programs, strengthening existing organizations and building collaborative innovative teams that can solve problems big or small.
Thank you for reading this and taking the time to get to know me as a person and a candidate. As you learn more about me it is my sincere hope that I can earn your trust and your vote for Rochester City Council President.
Sincerely,
Kathleen
A little about who I am – not just what I do.
I am a Mom and I am now a grandmother falling more and more in love every day. I am the daughter of working class parents – the first in my family to go to college much to the consternation of my parents who could not for the life of them understand why their daughter was so driven.
I am now and have always been blessed with relentless energy, optimism, a passion to make a difference and solve problems. When I see a need I jump in – I just can’t help myself. It is what I have done for most of my life – I create a team and we get to work.
As a young woman in Washington, D.C. and a believer in the power of shared leadership, I worked tirelessly to get more women elected to Congress and on legislation to promote economic equity for women. I worked with Democrats and Republicans to solve problems for people.
A few years ago, I saw what I thought was a problem in our community when the Chamber was in a challenging situation. I left my job at Mayo Clinic and went to work at the Chamber – because I believed then, as I do now, that in a community like ours with one very large employer, the voice of the other employers, small business and non-profits has to be strong and must be heard.
I am running to help our City with the significant problems we face today. I want to work with the Council , the Mayor and other government entities to create a recovery for all – not just a few, to help make Rochester the most inclusive city we can be and I will champion strong neighborhoods and a sustainable high quality of life for all residents of Rochester.
Let me conclude where I started. Before my parents passed I think they understood the importance of education to me and my commitment to make a difference. I also believe they would be proud of my accomplishments in building bridges and getting people to work together toward a common purpose. I am pretty sure my Dad would be very proud of me being endorsed by the carpenters and pipefitters unions and also having the support of many self-made, job creating small business men and women in our community.
I am running on my record of strong, passionate and inclusive leadership working at all levels of government, building new programs, strengthening existing organizations and building collaborative innovative teams that can solve problems big or small.
Thank you for reading this and taking the time to get to know me as a person and a candidate. As you learn more about me it is my sincere hope that I can earn your trust and your vote for Rochester City Council President.
Sincerely,
Kathleen
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Connect with Me! Follow my social channels for the latest information from the campaign
Watch all the candidate forums
Compare and contrast the candidates' positions on key issues, experience, and approach to governing. Click below to watch on-demand recordings of available forums.
October 2nd - Med City Beat Election Debate
Streamed to Facebook | Click HERE to watch the debate
September 29 - League of Women's Voters Candidate Forums - 7pm
Live Stream to Rochester Public Library Website | Click HERE to watch the stream
September 26th - 125 Live/ABC News 6/Post Bulletin
125 Live | Click HERE to watch the debate
September 24th - In the City for Good - 7:35-8:30 pm
Zoom meeting | Click HERE to watch the debate
September 15th - NAACP Forum - 7 pm
Zoom meeting | Click HERE to watch the debate
September 9th - Rochester Downtown Alliance - 11am
Quarterly Meeting - Joint appearance/Zoom meeting
September 8th - Jane Belau Show - 2 pm
Program will air on channel 181 on its usual schedule and also on YouTube | Click HERE to watch the debate
July 25 - Pre-Primary Candidate Forums - 7pm
ABC 6, Post Bulletin, & 125 Live | Click HERE to watch the debate
July 16 - League of Women Voters Pre-Primary Candidate Forums - 7pm
Live Stream to Rochester Public Library Website | Click HERE to watch the debate
July 8 - Med City Beat Virtual Town Hall - 7pm
Streamed to Facebook | Click HERE to watch the debate
Streamed to Facebook | Click HERE to watch the debate
September 29 - League of Women's Voters Candidate Forums - 7pm
Live Stream to Rochester Public Library Website | Click HERE to watch the stream
September 26th - 125 Live/ABC News 6/Post Bulletin
125 Live | Click HERE to watch the debate
September 24th - In the City for Good - 7:35-8:30 pm
Zoom meeting | Click HERE to watch the debate
September 15th - NAACP Forum - 7 pm
Zoom meeting | Click HERE to watch the debate
September 9th - Rochester Downtown Alliance - 11am
Quarterly Meeting - Joint appearance/Zoom meeting
September 8th - Jane Belau Show - 2 pm
Program will air on channel 181 on its usual schedule and also on YouTube | Click HERE to watch the debate
July 25 - Pre-Primary Candidate Forums - 7pm
ABC 6, Post Bulletin, & 125 Live | Click HERE to watch the debate
July 16 - League of Women Voters Pre-Primary Candidate Forums - 7pm
Live Stream to Rochester Public Library Website | Click HERE to watch the debate
July 8 - Med City Beat Virtual Town Hall - 7pm
Streamed to Facebook | Click HERE to watch the debate
Driveway discussions
Conducting a campaign during a pandemic is a challenging affair! Since day one, I have pledged to conduct a grassroots campaign that connects with voters in Rochester--the constituents who I will be serving as President of the City Council. When traditional door-knocking is not possible, I have had to get creative in finding new ways of meeting to discuss the issues. Thank you to those who have hosted and attended my series of socially-distant "Driveway Discussions." These small and safe gatherings have been a great opportunity listen to various perspectives and discuss our shared vision for this city and region. Interested in hosting a discussion of your own? Please email me at kathleenharrington@voteforharrington.com
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Harrington on the Issues
I think we need change – change in how we view and treat each other, change in what we connect with and should expect from City government and change in how the City Council operates to meet the needs of the entire community to help close the gaps we know exist in opportunity, equity and quality of life across our community. I have the skills, passion and commitment to collaborate and lead our City through these extraordinary times, f rom the unprecedented recession to understanding of impact of systemic racism in our community. Please click and watch the videos below to hear my positions on a variety of issues, from the city budget to building a more inclusive community.
My platform is straightforward. I pledge to listen, learn and lead to:
My platform is straightforward. I pledge to listen, learn and lead to:
Promote a Strong Economic Recovery
Recover TOGETHER |
Be the Most Inclusive City we can be
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Champion a High and Sustainable Quality of Life for all Residents of Rochester
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campaign endorsements
Southeast Minnesota Realtors Endorse Kathleen Harrington
Local Business Owner Carol Bitton Endorses Kathleen Harrington
(Published in the Med City Beat)
Greg Munson Endorses Harrington
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Building Trades Union Endorsements
“The North Central States Regional Council of Carpenters endorses Kathleen Harrington for Rochester City Council President. Kathleen has a good grasp on the construction industry and the craftsmanship that our highly-skilled, professionals provide. Kathleen has the experience and a record of strong, proven leadership. We look forward to partnering with Kathleen Harrington and the Rochester City Council on the City’s growth and infrastructure needs.”
Dom Andrist
President, Carpenters Local 1382, Rochester
Key Dates |
Voting Resources |
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September 18 - Absentee Voting for the General Election Begins
November 3 - General Election
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