Duff will not run again

Red Wing City Council member Carol Duff announced Monday she will not seek re-election this fall.

Duff said she wants to dedicate more of her attention to the Duff Endowment, of which she is president, and will seek to foster civic engagement that way.

Duff's late husband, Phil Duff, founded the endowment. He also was editor of the Republican Eagle.

The question of whether to run for a second term had been on Duff's mind for months, she said, but she came to conclusion Monday morning that she would not run again.

While she's chosen to step down at the end of her term, Duff doesn't see herself acting like a lame duck for the next eight months.

"I'm not at all going to disappear," Duff said. "Indeed, if anything I'm probably going to challenge people more and ask more questions than ever."

Red Wing's at-large council member, Duff is one of four council members whose terms expire this year.

Duff said she felt it was important to make her announcement at this time because candidates can begin filing for council seats on May 18. Filing closes June 1. That's nearly two month earlier than in previous years.

In addition to working with the foundation, Duff said she will continue her efforts along side former Mayor Donna Dummer in encouraging residents to do volunteer work.

There are also personal interests, like gardening and genealogy, to which she intends to give more time.

"She's done a great job on focusing the council on openness and community involvement," Council member Lisa Bayley said. "We'll miss her energy."

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