Robbinsdale Mayor-Elect Aims To Build City Engagement
Brad Sutton ran unopposed for the Robbinsdale mayor’s office this November. As he prepares to take office, he said one of his biggest goals is to increase civic engagement.
Sutton moved to Robbinsdale in 2016, but has spent 22 years living close by.
“We’ve got all these great resources and great reasons to live here,” Sutton said.
As mayor-elect, Sutton knows he has a lengthy history behind him. Mayor Bill Blonigan spent 44 years serving the city of Robbinsdale, the last four as mayor. Blonigan decided not to seek re-election after a prostate cancer diagnosis.
As Blonigan steps down, Sutton said they are working together and have already met once.
“Just to carry on the things that he felt were very important,” Sutton explained.
Those things include investing to stretch the city’s funding and offset taxes. Sutton is also on board with Blonigan’s green mission.
“His energy plan, and wanting to be more of a green city. That’s something I’d like to carry on from him as well,” Sutton said.
CCX News spoke one-on-one with Sutton on Wednesday.
Sutton’s position is also unique this time around: he ran for mayor without an opponent. While he said he was lucky to be given a shot uncontested, it worried him about the community’s engagement levels. He said he realized that recently himself.
“I want people to feel that, you know, listen: You have way more power than you think,” Sutton said.
As mayor, Sutton said he hopes to bring those engagement levels up, and encourages the community to use their voice to make change at a city level.
He also hopes to build up the city’s businesses, including the downtown and surrounding area. He cited a myriad of businesses you can visit in one afternoon on Main Street.
“There’s all kinds of great things. I just want to build and continue to build on that,” Sutton said.
He also said he wants to focus on location, with the city’s close proximity to Minneapolis, and bring more businesses in who want to stick around.
“I just want to do right by the residents of Robbinsdale, listen to the residents and get things done that make a difference for the people that live here, and the businesses that thrive here,” Sutton said.
Sutton will take office in January.
Also in Robbinsdale, Raymond Blackledge and Jason Greenberg won their wards for seats on the Robbinsdale City Council.
More details about Robbinsdale elections are on CCX’s 2024 Robbinsdale Election Results page.
