Chuck Canfield
Encyclopedia
Chuck Canfield is an American business man and former mayor of Rochester, Minnesota
. Before being elected mayor in 1995, he was 2nd Ward Councilman for the city since 1986. He owned a Shakey's Pizza
restaurant in northwest Rochester along US Route 52 until its closure in the 2000s. He lost the 2002 mayoral election to Ardell Brede
.
had been scandalized by the NAACP for responding to racism claims by saying that the accusers were newcomers from "East St. Louis and Chicago." Canfield started/announced his campaign for mayor June 6, 1995. His platform was largely based on the rising crime in Rochester. Olmsted County
Commissioner Carol Kamper was the primary opponent when Canfield announced his campaign. Canfield said, "There is a criminal element floating into town that puts our neighborhoods in fear and danger.". Three days later, Ken R. Weber, the operation manager for the Kahler Hotel's concession business, announced that he would run against Canfield, but a month later he learned because of his probation for committing felony theft he had lost the right to run for mayor. Weber's platform revolved around banning smoking in all indoor, public places. Critical situations manager at IBM
Steve Beilby filed to run July 7, making the total candidates a necessary three to demand a primary in September. Beilby had previously lost the 1993 bid for Rochester mayor in the primaries. Before the primaries retired IBM employee, John Reidenbach, also announced his campaign.
Canfield won the primaries with 46% of nearly 8,500 votes. Kamper joined him in continuing the general elections by achieving 32%. Reidenbach lost with 18%, and Beilby only won 4%. There were 44,000 eligible voters: 19% turnout.
A debate was held between Kamper and Canfield at Rochester Community College, though it was delayed until after the O.J. Simpson verdict announcement. At the debate, Kamper said Rochester did need a youth nightclub or youth center, but that it shouldn't be paid for with city money. Canfield responded by saying that jobs were more important than nightclubs.
Both candidates reporting spending thousands of dollars each on their campaigns. Canfield spent almost $10,000, while Kamper spent over $7,500.
With general election voter turnout at only 29% on November 7, Canfield beat Kamper with a "significant margin" ending the 16-year Hazama Administration. Canfield's mayoral victory left his councilman seat open, so according to the city charter the city council could appoint a replacement. Canfield left no comment on who that person ought to be.
Rochester, Minnesota
Rochester is a city in the U.S. state of Minnesota and is the county seat of Olmsted County. Located on both banks of the Zumbro River, The city has a population of 106,769 according to the 2010 United States Census, making it Minnesota's third-largest city and the largest outside of the...
. Before being elected mayor in 1995, he was 2nd Ward Councilman for the city since 1986. He owned a Shakey's Pizza
Shakey's Pizza
Shakey's Pizza is a pizza restaurant chain based in the United States. The chain currently has about 500 stores globally, and about 60 in the United States.-History:...
restaurant in northwest Rochester along US Route 52 until its closure in the 2000s. He lost the 2002 mayoral election to Ardell Brede
Ardell Brede
Ardell F. Brede is the current mayor of Rochester, Minnesota in the United States. Before he was elected, he worked as an administrator for the Mayo Clinic....
.
1995 Election
Then Rochester Mayor, Chuck HazamaChuck Hazama
Charles K. "Chuck" Hazama is a Native Hawaiian and a former mayor of Rochester, Minnesota. He served as Mayor of Rochester for eight, 2-year terms, from 1972 to 1995. Before he was Mayor, he served as the executive director of the Rochester YMCA...
had been scandalized by the NAACP for responding to racism claims by saying that the accusers were newcomers from "East St. Louis and Chicago." Canfield started/announced his campaign for mayor June 6, 1995. His platform was largely based on the rising crime in Rochester. Olmsted County
Olmsted County, Minnesota
As of the census of 2000, there were 124,277 people, 47,807 households, and 32,317 families residing in the county. The population density was 190 people per square mile . There were 49,422 housing units at an average density of 76 per square mile...
Commissioner Carol Kamper was the primary opponent when Canfield announced his campaign. Canfield said, "There is a criminal element floating into town that puts our neighborhoods in fear and danger.". Three days later, Ken R. Weber, the operation manager for the Kahler Hotel's concession business, announced that he would run against Canfield, but a month later he learned because of his probation for committing felony theft he had lost the right to run for mayor. Weber's platform revolved around banning smoking in all indoor, public places. Critical situations manager at IBM
IBM Rochester
IBM Rochester is the facility of International Business Machines in Rochester, Minnesota, not to be confused with the IBM Global Services facility in Rochester, NY. The initial structure was designed by Eero Saarinen, who clad the structure in blue panels of varying hues after being inspired by...
Steve Beilby filed to run July 7, making the total candidates a necessary three to demand a primary in September. Beilby had previously lost the 1993 bid for Rochester mayor in the primaries. Before the primaries retired IBM employee, John Reidenbach, also announced his campaign.
Canfield won the primaries with 46% of nearly 8,500 votes. Kamper joined him in continuing the general elections by achieving 32%. Reidenbach lost with 18%, and Beilby only won 4%. There were 44,000 eligible voters: 19% turnout.
A debate was held between Kamper and Canfield at Rochester Community College, though it was delayed until after the O.J. Simpson verdict announcement. At the debate, Kamper said Rochester did need a youth nightclub or youth center, but that it shouldn't be paid for with city money. Canfield responded by saying that jobs were more important than nightclubs.
Both candidates reporting spending thousands of dollars each on their campaigns. Canfield spent almost $10,000, while Kamper spent over $7,500.
With general election voter turnout at only 29% on November 7, Canfield beat Kamper with a "significant margin" ending the 16-year Hazama Administration. Canfield's mayoral victory left his councilman seat open, so according to the city charter the city council could appoint a replacement. Canfield left no comment on who that person ought to be.