Chris Swanson recall, Two Harbors, Minnesota (2022)

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Chris Swanson recall
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Officeholders
Chris Swanson
Recall status
Recall approved
Recall election date
August 9, 2022
Signature requirement
20% of registered voters
See also
Recall overview
Political recall efforts, 2022
Recalls in Minnesota
Minnesota recall laws
Mayoral recalls
Recall reports

An effort in Two Harbors, Minnesota, to recall Mayor Chris Swanson was initiated in March 2022.[1] Recall organizers submitted enough valid signatures to put the recall on the ballot. The recall election took place on August 9, 2022, and Swanson was removed from his position as a result of the vote.[2]

Recall vote

Chris Swanson recall, 2022

Chris Swanson lost the Mayor of Two Harbors recall election on August 9, 2022.

Recall
 Vote
%
Votes
Yes
 
86.5
 
1,149
No
 
13.5
 
180
Total Votes
1,329


Recall supporters

The recall effort was organized by a group called the Resign or Recall Committee. Petitions accused Swanson of conflicts of interest and of using his position as mayor to benefit a family business.[1]

Recall opponents

In response to the recall election making the ballot, Swanson said, "What we’re doing in our community is finally working. We are taking on bigger projects, and we’re starting to move forward. The best is yet to come. I will not resign." He continued, "The real question for the community of Two Harbors is: Does Two Harbors want to continue to move forward and get things done? Or do they want to stop and go backward?"[2]

Path to the ballot

See also: Laws governing recall in Minnesota

Recall organizers were required to gather valid signatures equal to 20% of registered voters in Two Harbors; about 450 signatures.

Almost 1,000 signatures were turned in by the recall committee on April 29, 2022. Two days later, a lawsuit was filed against the committee by Tim Jezierski, chair of the Lake County Republicans. The lawsuit argued that petition language didn't adequately define the word "malfeasance" and that residents who signed the petition were misled into believing their signatures would remain private. Cynthia Kosiak, an attorney and member of the Resign or Recall Committee, told the Duluth News Tribune that the committee was advised by the Minnesota Secretary of State's office that signatures would remain private. Kosiak said the group would withdraw the recall petition and gather a new round of signatures.[3]

On May 12, 2022, signatures were turned in for the second recall attempt. About 500 signatures were verified by the Two Harbors city clerk.[4]

See also

External links

Footnotes