Kaohly Her Projected To Win St. Paul Mayor’s Race Over Melvin Carter In Major Upset

ST. PAUL, MN — State Rep. Kaohly Her is projected to become the next mayor of St. Paul, defeating two-term incumbent Melvin Carter and making history as the first Hmong American to lead Minnesota’s capital city.

Her’s projected victory came after second-choice votes were tabulated under the city’s ranked-choice voting system, according to multiple media outlets.

"My family came here as refugees. Never in their wildest dreams would I be standing here today accepting the position of mayor, mayor of the city that gave them the opportunity to live the American dream,” Her told supporters early Wednesday morning, according to MPR News.

“I am doing this work for them, for you and for the future of this great city.”

Her, who has represented District 64A in the Minnesota House since 2018, ran on expanding opportunity and improving economic growth.

At a September debate, she said her administration would focus on boosting the city’s commercial base.

"What we have to do is make our city more welcoming to increasing commerce and business and allowing people to actually do business well in our city," she said.

"You cannot increase your revenues, you cannot increase your taxes. You cannot increase how to redistribute property taxes if you are not increasing that base that is critical for us to do."

Her’s campaign framed her story, from being born in a bamboo hut in Laos to serving as a state legislator, as an example of the "American Dream realized."

In the Legislature, she served as Majority Whip and co-chair of the Commerce Committee, helping to pass statewide policies including paid family leave, free school meals, PFAS bans, and trans refuge protections.

Carter, who has served since 2018, congratulated Her and pledged to help ensure a smooth transition.

"Congratulations to Rep. Kaohly Her for winning election as Saint Paul’s next mayor!" Carter wrote on social media.

"While we may not agree on everything, we all have a much greater set of challenges that can only be faced together; my team and I stand ready to help set Rep. Her up to hit the ground running."

"And thank you all; serving this city as mayor has been an honor of a lifetime. See you soon!"