Ramsey County Commissioner Trista MatasCastillo picks up a challenger; other races set

Frederick Melo, Pioneer Press
·2 min read
Ramsey County Commissioner Trista MatasCastillo picks up a challenger; other races set

In both Ramsey and Dakota counties, races for county positions have finally solidified.

The last day to file an affidavit of candidacy was May 31, but candidates had until Thursday, June 2 to withdraw their names from the running, and some last-minute filers were not immediately listed on the Minnesota Secretary of State’s office’s website. They are now.

For elected county offices with more than two candidates, the primary will be Aug. 9.

In Ramsey County, County Commissioner Trista MatasCastillo — who was elected in 2018 — has picked up a challenger. David A. Singleton, who is currently a reserve officer for the Minnesota State Fair, describes himself as the chairman of the Minnesota Police Reserve Officers Association, which he is attempting to revive.

The association’s most recent Internal Revenue Service 990 tax form, available from Guidestar.org, appeared to be from 2012 and listed $11,000 in assets.

Singleton ran for Minnesota Secretary of State in 2014 as an independent, losing in the political primary. He ran for Maplewood City Council in 2020.

Singleton has sometimes butted heads with law enforcement after dressing up in attire that closely resembles that of police officers, right down to the badge.

“All organizations have the right to display what their name is,” said Singleton on Monday, noting that in 2017 he represented a nonprofit public safety agency of his founding, the Minnesota Community Policing Services Foundation, Inc. “I’ve got a good track record of working with law enforcement. Public safety is No. 1. Without that, we’re not going to move forward.”

With Ramsey County Commissioner Jim McDonough choosing not to run for re-election after 21 years in office, seven candidates have filed for what will be an open seat on the November ballot. The latest is Nick Muhammad, founder of the Black Civic Network, a nonprofit dedicated in part to reducing out-of-home placements for Black children. Previously-announced candidates include former County Commissioner Dino Guerin, Mai Chong Xiong, Ying Vang-Pao, Greg Copeland, Clara O. Ware and Foua-Choua Khang.

Four candidates have filed to run for the seat currently held by Ramsey County Commissioner Toni Carter, who has chosen not to seek re-election after 17 years in office. They are state Rep. Rena Moran, DFL-St. Paul, George H. Jackson, Darryl Spence and Barbara Bolar.

Longstanding County Commissioner Rafael Ortega faces two perennial candidates — Bill Hosko and Charles Barklind. County Sheriff Bob Fletcher and County Attorney John Choi are running for re-election unopposed.

In Dakota County, what had been a five-way race for the open county board seat in District 4 has tightened as Inver Grove Heights City Council Member John K. Murphy has withdrawn his name from the running. The new line-up is Rosemount Mayor Bill Droste, Robert Heidenreich, Dr. Seema Maddali and Logan O’Grady.

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