Brooklyn Park City Council

AFL-CIO endorsed Tony McGarvey is running in May 9 primary election for open seat

Early voting is available through May 8

Adapted from the Minneapolis Labor Review, April 29, 2023

By Steve Share, Minneapolis Labor Review editor

BROOKLYN PARK — AFL-CIO endorsed Tony McGarvey will face two other candidates in a non-partisan primary election coming Tuesday, May 9 to fill a vacancy in one of the two seats for the Brooklyn Park City Council’s West District. The top two vote-getters will advance to the special election Tuesday, August 8.

McGarvey is a 17-year resident of Brooklyn Park and lives in the Lakeland Park neighborhood. “We live in the house my wife [Sue Ann Detterman] grew up in,” he notes.

A 21-year member of Minneapolis Painters and Tapers Local 386, McGarvey worked 13 years in the field before becoming a union organizer.

Since 2017, McGarvey has worked as director of government affairs for International Union of Painters and Allied Trades District Council 82.

McGarvey, 55, was born in Monticello and graduated from Osseo Senior High. The son of a pastor, “we lived all over the country,” he says, but “Minnesota was always home.”

After high school, McGarvey was working in a “survivor” job when he enlisted in the U.S. Army in the middle of the Gulf war. He served three years stationed in Germany.

In running for City Council, McGarvey says, “I see the opportunity to make a stand for working people.” He wants to see Brooklyn Park “use tools available to municipal leaders to implement worker protections.”

Early voting for the primary election will be available through May 8. In-person early voting will take place Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at Brooklyn Park City Hall, 5200 85th Ave. N. Voters also may request a mail-in ballot.

Tuesday, May 9, primary election voting will take place at regular polling places.

Website:
mcgarveyforbp.org

For voting information:
brooklynpark.org/elections