Longtime IBMer Patrick Keane announces campaign for Rochester's Ward 1

Another candidate has jumped into the race for Rochester's Ward 1.

Retired IBMer Patrick Keane said Friday he will be campaigning for the council seat, which covers the southern portion of Rochester. The position is being left open by Council Member Ed Hruska, who announced earlier in the year he would not be seeking re-election after 17 years in office.

Keane, who has lived in Rochester for 38 years, said he wants to be both a representative and advocate for Ward 1. He plans to run on a platform that emphasizes open government and neighborhood-focused planning.

“I think my values and my priorities align well with the neighborhoods of Ward 1," Keane said. "I want to live in a community that is safe and efficiently run, and one where economic opportunities are fair and sustainable.”

Keane spent 35 years as a software engineer at IBM. Since his retirement, he has stayed active in the community and now serves on the Rochester Zoning Board of Appeals, the Olmsted County Community Services Advisory Board and the Rochester Public Library Foundation Board. He has previously been a volunteer board member for the local YMCA and the arts group C4.

A native of Chicago, Keane lives in the Meadow Park neighborhood with his wife, Lori. Together they have three children and four grandsons.

Keane joins business owner Paul Myhrom and marketing consultant Heather Holmes in the race for the Ward 1 seat. While all three have publicly announced plans to run, they cannot officially file until May 22.

If more than two candidates file for any given seat, a primary election will be held on Aug. 14. The general election will be on Nov. 6.

Big names backing Holmes

Already some high-profile Rochester leaders appear to be backing Holmes for the Ward 1 seat. Mayor Ardell Brede, Council President Randy Staver and business leader John Wade were on hand Wednesday afternoon for Holmes's campaign kickoff event at Whistle Binkies on the Lake.

The Rochester mayor, who is not seeking re-election in 2018, was photographed wearing a "Heather Holmes for City Council" sticker. Wade, the former head of the Rochester Area Chamber of Commerce, spoke during the event and urged the audience to financially support Holmes.

"I think [Holmes] is absolutely the right person at the right time for our city," said Wade, now a managing partner at Clements Chevrolet.

You can read our original report of Holmes's announcement here.