Five candidates are running for St. Paul mayor in November’s election.

Incumbent Mayor Melvin Carter is seeking a third term and being challenged by Rep. Kaohly Her,

General information about the Nov. 4, 2025, election is online at twincities.com/news/politics/elections including information on candidates for races in Ramsey, Dakota and Washington counties.

To find out what’s on your ballot, where to vote and other election information, visit the Minnesota Secretary of State’s elections page at sos.state.mn.us/elections-voting.

St. Paul mayor

Melvin Carter

Melvin Carter. (Courtesy of the Office of Mayor Melvin Carter)

Age: 46

What qualifies you to hold this position?

I’m a father, husband, lifelong Saint Paul resident, and the proud Mayor of the city I’ve always called home. I grew up in the Rondo neighborhood and learned early that strong communities don’t just happen — they’re actively built by people who show up, work hard, and build something together. Today, Sakeena and I are raising our family on Saint Paul’s Eastside — in a neighborhood full of the same energy and deep community pride that’s shaped me from the start. In my eight years leading this city, we have faced one unprecedented challenge after the next — from COVID-19, to the murder of George Floyd, to civil unrest, a rock slide, a cyberattack, and now new Trump-era uncertainty. Each crisis tested our resolve, but through it all we’ve not only learned how to better support each other in tough times — but how to come out of those times stronger.

What would your top priorities be if elected?

A Home for Every Family– We’re not just building units — we’re building stability, community, and opportunity. That means deeply affordable housing, expanded pathways to homeownership, and new tools to help families stay rooted in the neighborhoods they love. It means deeply through our innovative Inheritance Fund to help families who had homes taken in our Old Rondo and West Side Flats neighborhood build family wealth through home ownership. In this next phase, we’ll focus on cutting red tape, unlocking more places to build, and supporting struggling residents so we can keep growing with intention and care. A 21st Century Downtown– We are hard at work bringing downtown back to life. We are doing it by converting vacant buildings into housing, launching new festivals and events, and working with small businesses to help them grow. Today, Saint Paul is hosting more major events than ever before — from the Yacht Club music festival to the World Juniors hockey tournament — while attracting new development interest from national investors. Now it’s time to accelerate that growth — and make our downtown a place that generates wealth for our communities, while being a neighborhood people are proud to call home. A Safer City, Built Together– In the years since the pandemic, we’ve reduced violent crime — and we did so by reimagining what public safety can be. Our Community-First model invests in mental health response, youth outreach, and neighborhood-based teams. But we’re not stopping there. We’ll continue holding people accountable, helping more residents get connected to care, and making every part of our city safer and stronger together.

What do you think is the primary role of government?

The primary role of government is to bring us together around the challenges and opportunities we face, and to invest in the things none of us can do alone. This includes safe neighborhoods, strong schools, affordable housing, resilient infrastructure, and an economy that works for everyone. Government should be a partner with community, ensuring that everyone has a seat at the table and that every family has the chance to thrive. At its best, government doesn’t just deliver services, it builds the foundation for shared prosperity and a city where everyone belongs.

How do you work to understand, and then learn from, opinions that differ from your own and people who disagree with you?

The role of mayor is to bring more people to the table, because too often decisions only benefit those already in the room. I listen to differing views, learn from them, and work to build solutions that reflect our whole community.

Website or contact information: melvincarter.org/home

Yan Chen

Yan Chen. (Courtesy of the candidate)

Age: 55

What qualifies you to hold this position?

As a scientist, I identify root causes, and build solutions grounded in results. As a mother, I fight for a future where everyone can thrive and contribute. As an immigrant, I’ve learned resilience—turning challenges into opportunities and doing more with less. As a business owner and housing revitalizer, I invest in people while strengthening our community’s foundation.

What would your top priorities be if elected?

I will hold the line on taxes by keeping city levies flat and urging the County and School Board to do the same. We must reduce crime and petty offenses while ensuring real rehabilitation opportunities. Safety and security must remain a top priority for city government, because trust is the foundation of a strong community. A Long-Term Housing Strategy I will work closely with state and federal partners to build a housing market that provides stability and opportunity for every generation. Young people should have real paths to homeownership. Older residents should be able to downsize securely, stay connected to their communities, or live independently without being priced out. Renters should have a full range of affordable, flexible options so they can build their lives freely instead of feeling trapped by their housing situations.

What do you think is the primary role of government?

I believe the primary role of government is to set fair and transparent boundary conditions so that everyone has the opportunity to discover who they are, by working hard, learning from their mistakes, and striving to succeed without harming others, directly or indirectly. In short, a good government is a steward, not a ruler; a problem-solver, not a power-seeker.

How do you work to understand, and then learn from, opinions that differ from your own and people who disagree with you?

First, foster an environment that is tolerant and open to change. When an elected official can admit mistakes, apologize sincerely, and take responsibility, it sets the tone for the entire city government. Once that kind of environment is established, everyone knows their opinions are welcome and valued. I genuinely appreciate hearing ideas that differ from my own, because they broaden my perspective. The more angles we can look at an issue from, the better decisions we can make. After all, the mayor’s position carries tremendous responsibility, not only for today, but for the long-term future of our city.

Website or contact information: YanChenMN.com

Adam Dullinger

Adam Dullinger. (Courtesy of the Candidate)

Age: 29

What qualifies you to hold this position?

As a state licensed Professional Engineer I have proven my ability to understand and solve complex problems that involve a wide variety of factors and constraints such as cost, functionality, and human impact. I have spent my whole life learning how the world works and how to make it better and I’m ready to turn my knowledge and skills into the decisions that set our city up for success.

What would your top priorities be if elected?

Affordability, Climate Change, and Public Safety.

What do you think is the primary role of government?

The primary role of government is to set the public up for success by providing effective services, building reliable infrastructure, and always putting the public’s interests first in every decision that gets made.

How do you work to understand, and then learn from, opinions that differ from your own and people who disagree with you?

I am constantly learning from others and I love to have discussions with people who disagree with me because oftentimes the disagreement is rooted at some deeper level beyond the specific topic at hand. By having those deeper conversations, reflecting on them, and discussing more later, we can often find common ground to build upon. I hate being wrong about things which is why I spend countless hours learning about everything I possibly can and greatly appreciate when I’m corrected by others!

Website or contact information: adamdullingerformayor.com

Kaohly Her

Kaohly Her. (Courtesy of the candidate)

Age: 52

What qualifies you to hold this position?

I have been a State Representative for seven years. Before that, I spent years working in the private sector in investments and finance, running a small non-profit empowering women and girls, overseeing operations and grant distribution for the largest community foundation in our state, serving as the first Board Administrator for the Saint Paul Public Schools, and leading as the Policy Director during Mayor Carter’s first term. In between my professional experience, I found time to be a stay-at-home mom and care for my aging parents struggling with healthcare needs, while trying to build wealth as a first-generation refugee. My experience spans private, public, foundation, and nonprofit sectors. Those experiences, coupled with my personal experiences, have prepared me to solve problems at the intersection of these sectors, rather than in the silos of traditional elected leaders. As a result, I can handle complex situations and bring people together to find solutions that we may not all agree with, but that can help us move forward for the greater good. My relationships at the city, county, state, and federal levels will bring more dollars to the city and ensure that we reach collaborative and innovative solutions to the most significant problems facing our city. Responsive communication and proactive leadership are sorely missing in City Hall right now, and I will work to bring those values back.

What would your top priorities be if elected?

I have four main priorities based on what I’ve been hearing from people while doorknocking across the entire city: a vibrant economy, safe neighborhoods, affordable and abundant housing, and defending our neighbors from the federal government. Building a vibrant economy is critical as our neighborhoods lose essential retailers, such as grocery stores. Without those businesses in place, the property tax burden will increasingly fall on the shoulders of renters and homeowners. This impacts those with limited fixed incomes, such as seniors and students, the most. Guaranteeing safe neighborhoods encompasses more than violent crime. Equally important is protecting access to our city resources for our kids to use, addressing the public health crisis of addiction and mental health, and supporting critical services like EMS, which is delivered entirely by our firefighters in Saint Paul. Building affordable and abundant housing will help us welcome even more neighbors, increase our tax base, and bring down the cost of living for everyone. Finally, our communities are at risk from our own federal government. People from immigrant and refugee communities are scared to leave their homes. The city needs to do more than just passively say we’re not collaborating with ICE; we need to provide real-time alerts for residents to inform them when ICE is in their neighborhoods, forbid agents in our community from hiding their faces, and teach our residents how to be constitutional observers.

What do you think is the primary role of government?

It is essential to recognize that the various levels of government have distinct responsibilities. Local governments are responsible for meeting the basic needs of their residents. It must maintain the infrastructure to deliver essential public services, public safety, and development. To make Saint Paul work for its residents, we need to get the nuts and bolts of running a city right, so that we can welcome residents, businesses, and development to expand our tax base and get our city moving again. Funding our city to deliver these services can no longer just fall on the shoulders of our residents through increased taxes. I have several plans to protect core city services, attract more development, and invest in our city as a destination for experiences. I propose diversifying our revenue streams beyond taxes by establishing an Urban Wealth Fund. Furthermore, our city must have transparent budgeting that not only meets the one-year requirement by charter but also projects our budget for an entire term, including future liabilities and city operations. Finally, we must be willing to coordinate with other levels of government to eliminate duplicate services and execute our core responsibilities effectively.

How do you work to understand, and then learn from, opinions that differ from your own and people who disagree with you?

I am known as someone who can build consensus at the State Capitol. As the Chair of the Pensions Commission under Speaker Melissa Hortman, I was tasked with addressing a looming financial threat to our state. I worked with unions, pension funds, employers, Democrats, and Republicans to build consensus around this tough issue. At the end of the process, even if some people didn’t agree with the outcome, they respected the fact that they felt they were not only listened to, but heard. In the end, the bill passed as the largest pension bill in state history, garnering bipartisan support. My leadership style is to bring everyone to the table and hear their perspective. I’ve already committed to meeting with every city council member within my first month as mayor, so I can listen to the priorities they are bringing to the table. When we all feel heard, we’re better off for it. Disagreements are challenging, but they are also opportunities. The key is the willingness to engage even when it is hard. I am someone who does not shy away from conflict and who is always open to tough conversations. I carry that with me into this work and let that guide me.

Website or contact information: kaohlyforstp.com

Mike Hilborn

Mike Hilborn. (Courtesy of the candidate)

Age: 62

What qualifies you to hold this position?

30 year small business owner in Saint Paul.

What would your top priorities be if elected?

Lower taxes, lower crime, no more people living in tents.

What do you think is the primary role of government?

Protect its citizens at the lowest possible price to the tax payer.

How do you work to understand, and then learn from, opinions that differ from your own and people who disagree with you?

Have a conversation with people. Not a lot of that going on right now.

Website or contact information: MikeForStPaul.com

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