Category Archives: Opinion

SPRCC Chair Copeland Calls for St Paul DFL to be Held Accountable.

There have been 2 Ballot Questions added to the St Paul Ballots in the November 4th General Election. One of them was put on the ballot by a petition spearheaded by Peter Butler. In 2024 he successfully got the Ballot question of moving Mayoral and City Council Elections to the Presidential year starting in 2028.

This year he got the City Fine Ballot Question onto the Ballot. I, Publius Jr, remember signing this petition outside of the Local Republican Party Convention of which I caucus with. Voting Yes for the Ballot Question actually makes it harder for residents to appeal decisions by the City. The Vote Yes for a Fairer St Paul are actually lying about how this makes it fairer for St Paul Residents.

The Second Ballot question is about giving the Independent School District 625 (St Paul Public Schools) $37 million more. No amount of your money has improved the school district. From Schooldigger.com that ranks schools across the country through a variety of metrics, shows St Paul Public Schools ISD 625 flatlined it’s performance and educational excellence. They rank in the lower 22% of School Districts in the state. Their enrollment is dropping due to the curriculum, but mostly due to the current board members advocating for removal of School Resource Officers (SROs) and not suspending nor expelling disruptive or violent students. Remember Devin Scott might be alive today if he wasn’t murdered on his first day of class at Harding High School on February 10, 2023 because the school lacked SROs.

St Paul DFL Supports a YES Vote on Both Ballot Qns is Illegal

St Paul DFL earlier in the year became a defunct political organization, when they didn’t hold a caucus to elect delegates & alternates, and leaders of the organization. If they don’t have leaders or delegates & alternates they cease being a party unit.

Then they recently sent out Campaign material that shows “St Paul DFL Supports” Yes votes on the Ballot questions. This is illegal because who voted for this? Fred Melo, the St Paul Beat Reporter for Pioneer Press talks about this in his report on October 27, 2025.

“How did the St Paul DFL, which is on hiatus, back Two Ballot Questions?”

Peter Butler then filed a complaint against Rick Varco who is the St Paul DFL Treasurer, as well as the treasurer for the “Vote Yes for a Fairer St Paul” group. The hearing by the MN Court of Administrative Appeals would be a week after the election. Sounds almost as if those lit pieces were sent knowing any complaint would not be heard before the election. But then something Happened. His complaint against Rick Varco was dismissed without a hearing. Amazing how fast DFL Justice happens when one of their own is being held accountable.

Here’s the dismissal document from Peter Butler click here: Order of Dismissal

Then the new St Paul Republican City Committee (SPRCC) Chair Greg Copeland sent out a letter to the Pioneer Press Letters to the Editor, and others in response to the dismissal of the complaint. We’re posting it because no one else will.

SPRCC Greg Copeland’s Letter Addressing St Paul DFL’s Illegal Action

“The haste applied by the Court to dispatching Peter Butler’s complaint without a hearing, given the absence of any reply filing by DFLer Rick Varco seeking a dismissal, strikes me as a process falling far short of even the appearance of passing for “Justice”.

How can Citizens have any confidence in the conduct of their elections when there is such flagrant disinterest on the part of those Public Officials  paid to Oversee the ways in which questionable campaign spending raises legitimate concerns that voters are being misled about who is financing political advertisements that advocate adoption of 10 years of additional new property taxes, and a law to levy new city fines on citizens in referendum elections.

Especially in this case where Saint Paul citizens will be subject to a host of new financial penalties and fines for violations of City Codes as well as an average $300 per home property tax hike!

It is ironic too that given the fact that Citizens have the power to cast ballots in the matter of new city fines only due to Citizen Volunteers working successfully to collect hundreds of signatures to require this referendum election.

I am thankful that the Pioneer Press put the facts in great detail on their October 28 front page seeking an answer to “Who is sending those DFL mailings?”; and declaring, “The local party unit doesn’t exist, yet it is advocating for votes”. Unfortunately the MN Court of
Administrative Hearings refuses to give these questions a Public Hearing.

Citizens should Vote NO Tuesday on both referendums given the lack of basic accountability. This lack of government transparency requires the People to reject Granting the City any authority to levy new fines and yet more property taxes.

Greg Copeland
Chairman
Saint Paul Republican City Committee”

Greg Copeland, SPRCC Chair, elected in June 2025

This post was not authorized by any candidate, or candidate’s committee, PAC, or the Republican Party of Minnesota. We did get permission to repost the article “SPRCC Chair Calls for St Paul DFL to be held Accountable,” from the Saintpaulrepublicans.us which posted it on November 3rd 2025. — admin

St Paul Mayor’s Race is a Choice between More Darkness or the Light

This is near MacKubin Street looking towards Dale St on Maryland Ave W

The above picture is  what is seen at night looking west a half block west of MacKubin on Maryland Ave West toward Dale St.

Getting a little closer to the Railroad Bridge near Kent St and Maryland Ave West.  There’s no light except for the occasional car that passes by.

This is near Sandstrom Windows near the Railroad Over pass at Kent St. Across the street is Marydale Park.
This photo is taken about a block west of Kent St at Danforth St walking East on Maryland Ave West.

Looking east near Danforth on Maryland Ave West.

The ability to keep the street lights on some city streets can pose a hazard to those driving a car, motorcycle, or a bike at night. Can you see the pillars of the overhead Railroad bridge? No?

8 Years of Mayor Melvin Carter III has produced Darkness

Took a walk down to Conny’s Creamy Cone on a Summer Night. The stark darkness between MacKubin St and Danforth St on Maryland Avenue is uncanny. I took the photos above.

This is not a recent occurrence. All throughout his tenure as what Mayor Carter says and what is, are two different things.

Nearby Marydale Park had it’s lights extinguished over at least a year or so. It seemed like there was no interest in turning the lights back on. There was a man living in the park that entire time. He lived near the raised railroad tracks in the park in a make shift shelter through a winter and a half. He moved his make shift shelter down to Lake Loeb the polluted lake in the middle of Marydale Park.

The benches and picnic tables and grills seem like they may have been new in the 1960s or even before that. Nearby Como Park has had updates nearly every year. Marydale Park not so much. They do have a Kato pitch there where you can see Hmong Americans kick a wicker ball like a cross between Hackey Sack and Volleyball.

There was a time during Mayor Carter’s second term that the lights around Lake Como and the walking trails around Como Park were not lit.  There were a lot of complaints but eventually their lights were turned back on but Marydale, not so much.

Copper thieves you say? Maybe it’s a lack of good paying jobs, or the good businesses have left the city that people have to resort to stealing catalytic converters or stealing copper wire from street lamps? The manufacturing base left a long time ago. Toro left, the 3M Headquarters relocated to just over the St Paul and Maplewood border and all it’s former plants are now parking lots.

Where’s that Billion Dollars worth of investment in St Paul Melvin Carter mentioned in the LWV Forum?

Downtown St Paul is a ghost town. Junkies and thugs hanging around bus stops looking to buy and sell drugs.

The Veterans Center in the US Bank building’s corner at Minnesota & 5th still has the stickers of the US Army, USMC, US Navy, US Coastguard, and the US Air Force on the windows but the center has been vacant for a very long time.

When was the last time there was a Parade down Rice Street or White Bear Avenue? When did we last have Official Fireworks on the 4th of July from the City of St Paul? In 2017 when Mayor Chris Coleman was mayor. Since then there hasn’t been enough money to do it.

Yet there’s money for college savings accounts, or savings accounts, or the $500 a month to a handful of people to study if Universal Basic Income can work here. There was also money to pay off medical debt of people who could probably get another person or company to pay it off. These are not functions of government. They are functions of Vote Buying. If we had a Law and Order MN Attorney General, Mayor Carter might be in prison for influencing the vote by giving money to people who otherwise might not vote.

Remember the 1% sales tax to fix roads in St Paul? Mayor Carter was bragging about using that money to re-sod a rec center.  The road construction in downtown St Paul looks like state money by Governor Walz.

Arcade, Dale St and soon to be the entire stretch of Rice street have or will get road diets. Main arteries that had 4 lanes of traffic will have 2 lanes and a seldom used middle lane. Maryland Avenue between Johnson Parkway and Greenbriar was supposed to be a 6 month trial but now it’s permanent and the road diet goes all the way down to Arkwright on Maryland Ave East.

Then there’s the threat to clear cut century old trees on Summit Avenue for a bike trail that isn’t needed. Adam Dullinger could be a project manager for that he seemed like he wanted to leave the company that he works at to making more bike lanes and connections. His comments at the LWV forum seemed like he wanted to work for Mayor Carter if he wins a 3rd term.

Max Sanders never asked a question about that project. A project the city can’t afford to do because we don’t have the money for it.

The Maryland Supermarket has had 1000s of calls about shots fired, 2 murders, car accidents, speeding, and drug dealing. Oh you’re not suppose to bother the St Paul Police about guys selling drugs in handshake sales through car windows that drive up. A landlord nearby called to complain about the narcotics sold there and was told by the St Paul Police that he should stop bothering them unless there is a shooting. Interesting as they also have had a St Paul Police Camera Pole at that property all summer long. Is someone in Chief Axel Henry’s Police Force on the take? St Paul had that reputation about 100 yrs ago. The recent “Blue Surge” there is just a show, they aren’t serious about arresting any of the drug dealers there because there have been no arrests nor has the store been shut down either. The dealers will still hang around and then when the night comes on they are back to selling drugs. Wondering what Mayor Carter and Councilwoman Kim might say about that? The Fentanyl task force is being successful?

If you vote for any of the DFLers running in this race, there’s 4 of them, then you can expect more of the same you are voting for more darkness, or…

You can vote for Mike Hilborn the only REASONABLE choice in this election. He’s the light in the darkness like in the photo below.

This is near Sandstrom Windows near the Railroad Over pass at Kent St. Across the street is Marydale Park.

this post was not authorized by any candidate or candidate’s committee. This is not an endorsement, it is a REASONABLE Suggestion to vote for the only sane choice in this election, Mike Hilborn, is very REASONABLE. The ideas of the others is very unreasonable, insane, and more of the same status quo. No one believes the claims of violent crime going down. They have just re-classified crimes or redefined them. If you disagree they will fine you when the City Fine Ballot question passes, so vote NO on that and to deny St Paul Public Schools more money for a school district with a declining enrollment because the schools are unsafe because the School Board removed SROs. Remember Devin Scott was murdered on their watch at Harding High School.  Also don’t rank your votes either. It should be 1 person 1 vote. — admin

St Paul Independent Mayor Candidate Mike Hilborn Interview with Fox 9 Oct 20th, 2025

This interview was conducted by Fox 9 News on October 20, 2025 by Amy Hockert, the video is from Fox 9 Minneapolis-St Paul’s YouTube Channel. Amy Hockert calls Candidate Hilborn a Republican even though he is listed as being an independent. Mike Hilborn did run for office in 2024 for House District 65B where he lives in St Paul MN and was endorsed by SD 65 Republicans for office.

Recently, he talked about his campaign last year where he campaigned, knocked on doors and showed up to forums whereas his opponent the incumbent Rep Maria Isa Perez-Vega didn’t campaign as if she already knew the outcome before the race started. Mike Hilborn said “She did not show up to the two forums.  The forums were held.  I raised about $19,000.  Knocked on doors.  Had a meet and greet at McGovern’s.  Was on the radio and cable.  Put forth a full campaign.”  He said he did not do the normal “paper candidacy” that some candidates do. The League of Women Voters of St Paul likes to cancel forums at the convenience of the DFL candidates’ schedule.

We will list what questions are asked and when they are answered, so you can skip to a question you want to hear first. — admin


The interviewer Amy Hockert mentions the rules are Candidates can’t mention other candidates and they have 10 minutes total. All the same questions are asked of the other candidates with Candidate specific follow up questions. (We’re using the closed captioning to get the questions exact, and it’s delayed a half second or so, and the interviewer does some double starts of words). The square brackets are comments to clarify what the interviewer means or to set the record straight.

0:43 Amy Hockert introduces Mike Hilborn as a Republican

0:49 Mike Hilborn corrects her saying he is an Independent

2:02 Question 1: Public Safety & Policing: The Department of Justice is suing St Paul for it’s so-called Sanctuary City Policies which results in the release of dangerous criminals in the city. So when it comes to Federal Law Enforcement working in the city, Mike, what role does St Paul Police have?

2:17 Mike Hilborn

2:57 Question 2: As far as gun control goes, a group of Mayors from across the Metro, including St Paul, is asking state lawmakers to give individual cities the authority to make their own gun ordinances. They want to ban high capacity magazines and assault weapons. How do you feel about that? And would you join that group?

3:14 Mike Hilborn

3:31 Question 3: What would be your message to those? Because we’ve seen obviously out of the tragedy at Assumption [church shooting on August 27, 2025, Minneapolis MN], we’ve seen so many groups coming out to ask for this exact thing. We’ve seen doctors and faith leaders. We’ve seen clearly parents and family members those who lost loved ones in this. What would your message to them be in this?

3:53 Mike Hilborn

4:24 Question 4: Let’s talk about the Economy. What are 2 things you would do to revitalize the downtown? We’ll talk about 1 short term right away and then another in the next year or two. What would you be looking at if you had to narrow it down?

4:39 Mike Hilborn

5:49 Question 5: As long as you brought it up. Homelessness, encampments, these are issues that cities like St Paul are facing right now. What specifically would you do as it pertains to encampments and homelessness, to try to find solutions that are humane, also reasonable? We have to worry about budgets, right? When you’re mayor, what are some of the things that you would do specifically?

6:14 Mike Hilborn

7:00 Question 6: Mike tell me a little bit more about your experience as a business owner. I read somewhere sort of a second chance [employer], business owner is what you are described as by one by one outlet. What does that mean?

7:13 Mike Hilborn

9:04 Question 7: I want to address the cyberattack that shut down the city services and threatened to do more damage if a ransom wasn’t paid. Which the city said it wasn’t. Where does cyber security fall on your list of priorities? And then how much are you willing to spend to bolster it?

9:21 Mike Hilborn

10:06 Question 8: St Paul is a Blue City you’re in a primarily blue state. So what makes you believe that you are somebody who can break through and have people vote for an independent candidate in this case?

10:27 Mike Hilborn


We’re posting this interview between Amy Hockert (at no time does she introduce herself) and St Paul Mayor Candidate Mike Hilborn. This is a courtesy for St Paul Voters. Mike Hilborn was not endorsed by the Republican Party of Minnesota, he is the only candidate who is not for the polices that have failed the businesses, and the residents of St Paul. The other candidates want more government involvement which will mean more expensive government and more of your income. We suggest you vote for him and no one else. There is no one else in this race for which Republican Voters can choose from who want to lower taxes and make St Paul an affordable place to live.

This post wasn’t authorized by Mike Hilborn nor any candidates committee. HD 66B Republicans are from the Areas near Lake Como, the neighborhood of North End north of Maryland Avenue, and the Near East Side out to Arcade St of St Paul Minnesota — Admin

New Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on the Shawn Ryan Show

The above video was recorded prior to the General Election of 2024. You can tell this about how they discuss the election as it hasn’t happened yet. Though the video on the Shawn Ryan Show YouTube Channel states it was released on November 7, 2024.

Pete Hegseth has strong ties to Minnesota. He grew up in Forest Lake, Minnesota. He ran for the MNGOP Nomination for US Senate in 2012.

President-Elect Donald J Trump the 45-47th President of the United States of America just tapped Pete Hegseth to be the next Secretary of Defense. He has a big task to revitalize the Defense Department which has gone Woke, and is gigantic social engineering laboratory for non-American Values, and is sending our military inventory to a questionable war in the Ukraine.

Shawn Ryan is a former Navy SEAL, CIA Contractor, and started up the Shawn Ryan Show to help record the stories of Veterans of many wars past and present.


From the Shawn Ryan Show YouTube Channel description:

Pete Hegseth is a television host, bestselling author, and U.S. Army Veteran known for his role on Fox & Friends Weekend. After graduating Princeton and Harvard, he served in the Army National Guard with tours in Iraq and Afghanistan, earning two Bronze Stars. His military experience informs his advocacy for veterans, national security, and patriotic values.

Hegseth is also a New York Times bestselling author of “In the Arena,” “American Crusade,” and his latest book, “The War on Warriors,” where he critiques American politics, media and education. Known for his direct style, he remains an active voice in media and has led veterans’ advocacy groups like Concerned Veterans for America.


00:00 – Introduction

00:21 – Discussing the VA and Veterans’ Issues

20:11 – The War on Warriors: Book Introduction

21:13 – Military’s Shift and Wokeness

50:56 – Trump’s Support for War Fighters

53:23 – Women in Combat Roles Debate

01:21:07 – China’s Strategic Threat

01:42:01 – Public Education System Pitfalls

02:07:34 – Homeschooling and Alternative Education Models 02:12:26 – Challenges and Solutions for Single Parents

02:26:59 – Final Thoughts


The video has advertisements in which help generate funds for the Shawn Ryan Show as YouTube doesn’t share enough of their ad revenue with the producers. Mnhd66brepublicans.org does not get compensated for posting the Video, nor from the Barnes & Noble links to purchase Pete Hegseth books. You can visit this website to know more about the new Defense Secretary: PeteHegseth.com.  — admin