Minnesota state Representative Kaohly Her is projected to become the next mayor of St. Paul, unseating two-term incumbent Melvin Carter in a closely watched race. According to Ramsey County election results, Her secured 47.76% of the vote during the second round of ballot counting. Once verified by the state, she will make history as the first woman and Asian American to serve as mayor of St. Paul.
In her victory statement, Her thanked residents for their support and promised to be a mayor who listens and engages with every part of the community. “Here is my commitment to you: as your mayor, I will always show up,” she said. “We are a large city, but a small community. Being involved matters. How we run our government matters. How we show up for people – in every corner of our city – matters.”
Her has represented St. Paul in the Minnesota House of Representatives since 2019 and previously worked as a policy director for Mayor Carter. Born in Laos, she came to the United States as a refugee at the age of three. Her campaign focused on creating safe neighborhoods, supporting economic growth, expanding affordable housing, and defending residents from policies she described as harmful and unjust.
The mayoral race drew five candidates: Her, Carter, Yan Chen, Adam Dullinger, and Mike Hilborn. None received enough first-choice votes to win outright, so ranked-choice voting determined the final outcome. Earlier in the night, Carter held a narrow two-point lead, but Her gained ground as second-choice votes were counted.
Carter, who became St. Paul’s first Black mayor in 2017 and won reelection in 2021, ran on his record of revitalizing downtown and working with state leaders to bring employees back to in-person work. Chen, a scientist and business owner, prioritized public safety, housing, and reintegrating homeless individuals into the community. Dullinger focused on supporting labor unions, improving public housing, and managing city spending, while Hilborn campaigned on lowering taxes, backing police, and revitalizing downtown.
Alongside the mayoral race, St. Paul voters also decided on two key ballot measures. One was a proposal to allow administrative citations — or civil penalties — for city ordinance violations. Previously, St. Paul relied solely on criminal penalties, which many viewed as overly harsh for minor infractions. The measure passed with 68% of the vote, amending the City Charter to permit the city to issue civil fines instead of criminal charges.
The coalition behind the measure, Vote Yes for a Fairer St. Paul, celebrated the outcome, saying it marked a major step toward more equitable enforcement. They said the change would ensure all residents, regardless of income or background, are treated fairly. However, some critics warned that the new power could be misused if not carefully regulated.
In another major local vote, residents approved a school referendum to increase funding for St. Paul Public Schools. The measure, which passed with 65% support, will raise the district’s operating levy to $1,073 per student, generating about $37 million annually. District officials said the funds will help improve learning environments and support staff. The additional property tax for an average home valued at $289,200 is expected to be around $26 per month.
The election results highlight a moment of transition for St. Paul, as voters embraced new leadership and backed measures aimed at fairness and investment in education. If confirmed, Kaohly Her’s victory will not only represent a milestone for the city’s growing diversity but also signal a new era of civic engagement and community-focused governance.
