Shey latest council member to endorse Hart for mayor

CEDAR RAPIDS - Outgoing District 3 Cedar Rapids City Council member Pat Shey joins the list of council members supporting Brad Hart in the Tuesday mayoral runoff against Monica Vernon.

Shey, who hasn't typically endorsed candidates, said he feels 'compelled to weigh in now” because 'the stakes are so important for this election.”

'I know he will bring a non-partisan, collaborative approach to the job, which will benefit all of Cedar Rapids,” Shey said.

Shey said 'the job is not and should not be a full-time position,” which has been a campaign promise of Vernon, a former two-term City Council member and businesswoman.

Hart, a business attorney, would focus on policy and leave operations to the city manager and staff, Shey said.

Justin Shields, in District 5, and Ralph Russell, who also is not seeking re-election to his expiring at-large seat, are also backing Hart. Ann Poe, another at large City Council member, is supporting Vernon. Other members of the nine-member panel have stayed neutral.

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