London To Challenge Elder for New Hope Mayor
The New Hope mayoral race this November will have two seated city council members battling for the city’s top elected seat.
Three-term New Hope City Council Member Jonathan London has thrown his hat in the ring for the mayor’s seat and will face fellow Council Member John Elder.
London has been a New Hope resident since 1976. He’s a financial advisor, and according to the city’s website, he was first elected to the council in 2014.
He told CCX News that he decided to run “because I’ve been asked by many people to run for mayor … they’ve seen the things that I’ve done, they’ve seen who I am and how I vote for issues.”
New Mayor Incoming
Current New Hope Mayor Kathi Hemken is not running for re-election this year.
London ran against Hemken in 2020.
Three-term New Hope City Council Member Jonathan London filed his candidacy for the mayor’s seat.
Meanwhile, Elder, who is currently a captain with the Robbinsdale Police Department, announced his campaign for mayor in April.
London said his track record for improving the city is well-established.
“My opponent has been there before I was elected to the council, and he’ll likely be on the council after I leave,” he said. “If you look closely at what has happened in the city of New Hope and the improvements that have been made, many of them have been due to my recommendations and suggestions.”
London said he’s been a proponent of creating metrics to measure the city’s performance, as well as city-wide street maintenance plans.
“Many people believe that my ability to see things impartially and unconflicted may rub people the wrong way,” he said. “But, I often look at issues from both sides of the aisle and put myself in the other person’s shoes … then I evaluate what is in the best interest of the city long-term.”
Both London and Elder are midway through their council terms. That means the council will eventually need to appoint a new member to fill the winner’s seat.
