Newly elected Duluth City Councilor Janet Kennedy running for County Commissioner

DULUTH, MN – Newly elected Duluth City Councilor no longer wants the job. Three months in, Janet Kennedy has decided she will run for County Commissioner.

Kennedy made the announcement standing on the St. Louis County Courthouse steps. Kennedy, in explaining her reason for changing her mind and wanting to switch jobs, said with her two major initiatives focused on community youth and West Duluth business are moving forward under the new mayor and administration. She says the County needs the voice that she brings.

“This is what we need to move forward to make a community that is transforming and working for everyone. It continues to not work in two of the largest systems which is social service programming and the criminal justice system we know that. People who look like me and many of my neighbors who don’t look like me operate in systems that have to be looked at with the experience that I have,” she said.

Meanwhile, current Commissioner Grimm is nearing the end of her first term. She is proudest of her focus on her support of children and families, the basics of infrastructure and public safety.

“That we are thinking smartly about public safety. One of the biggest things I’m proud of as chair of public safety has been our care in the county jail. We brought in a local provider, we are expanding care 24/7 and having a hand off for people’s mental health, medications, and getting extra funding for housing support,” said Grimm.

Kennedy plans to stay in her role of City Councilor while campaigning for County Commissioner.