She lost the DFL primary for governor and didn’t run for re-election to the state House of Representatives, so Margaret Anderson Kelliher is in the job market. She got good news Wednesday: She’s a finalist for Minneapolis parks superintendent.
She’s never run a park before, unlike the other two finalists — Stanley Motley, of Fulton County, Ga., and Steve Rymer, of Morgan Hill, Calif., who both run park systems.
Kelliher talked about the job possibility in a statement Wednesday:
“As the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board announced earlier today, I am pleased to be among the finalists in the search for a new Superintendent. Our parks system is a national treasure that has always grown to reflect the needs of a changing city.”
Creating and maintaining unique recreational spaces in one of the Midwest’s premier parks setting “is an exciting opportunity to serve our community,” she said. “I look forward to the next step in the search process.”
The previous Minneapolis park superintendent, Jon Gurban, was forced out in February after a tumultuous six-year reign.
Kelliher served six terms in the state House, representing Minneapolis, and was named House speaker in 2007. She won the DFL nomination for governor in April, but lost the party’s primary last month to Mark Dayton.
Her husband, David Kelliher, is director of public policy & community relations for the Minnesota Historical Society.
Regardless of her qualifcations, if any, this will be seen as a political payoff by many if MAK gets the job.