Cy Thao won't run again

Posted at 11:00 PM on February 10, 2010 by Tom Scheck (6 Comments)
Filed under: Campaign 2010, MN Legislature

DFL state Rep. Cy Thao has decided not to seek a fifth term in the Minnesota House, two people familiar with his plans confirmed to MPR News. The individuals, who work for the Minnesota House, requested anonymity because they didn't want to get ahead of Thao's written statement which is expect to be released in the morning. Thao also started contacting delegates and supporters this evening.

The sources say Thao made his decision because of "business opportunities" and a recent fine by the Minnesota Campaign Finance Board did not play a factor in his decision. Thao was ordered to pay the state more than $4700 in fines over irregularities in his 2006 and 2008 campaign finances.

Thao first ran for office in 2000 as a member of the Independence Party. A campaign ad he ran in that unsuccessful campaign is one of the funniest ads I've seen.

House District 65A is dominated by DFLers so expect several Democrats to jump into the race. Democrat Jeremiah Ellis has already filed to run.

Update: Another DFL candidate, Tony Schmitz, is also running. He has a website touting his candidacy.

Comments (6)

Longtime Frogtown neighborhood activist and author Tony Schmitz has already announced he will be seeking dfl endorcement for the seat. He says in his web site that he has the support of Rep. Thao in this quest and is contacting the 170+ district delagates to gather their's as well.

Posted by Sammy from the Midway | February 10, 2010 11:45 PM

PS: His web site is www.tonyschmitz.org.

PSS: Tony also was the publisher, editor, ad salesperson, etc. of the Frogtown Times during the 1990's and was a volunteer block club organizer with the Thomas Dale Block Club. He has lived in Frogtown for 30 years where he raised his two kids along with his wife Patty Ohmans.

Posted by Sammy from the Midway | February 11, 2010 12:08 AM

Thanks for the link to that 2000 campaign ad. Well worth a click.

Posted by Chris Steller | February 11, 2010 12:30 AM

Funny ad from a funny guy.

Posted by Kevin Watterson | February 11, 2010 6:57 AM

I have known Cy Thao since his first campaign, when he stopped by at my brother-in-law's house to paint his little bus. I have covered him for the Hmong Times since he was first elected, and he is one of the most passionate and honest politicians I have ever met. He is one of the people that I pointed to as proof that not all politicians are crooked. I will miss him and I think so will the people in Saint Paul's Frogtown neighborhood.

Posted by Sao Sue | February 11, 2010 4:29 PM

If you read the report on his past election finance law violations, you'll see why he is not running. Too bad he failed to follow the straight and narrow path.

Posted by Jay Wilkinson | February 15, 2010 5:12 PM

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