Overview
- At an MPR News forum, incumbent Melvin Carter, Kaohly Vang Her and Yan Chen debated downtown recovery, public safety and the city’s cyberattack fallout.
- Mayor Carter argued for investment-led revitalization and cited more than $1 billion in development, linking a stronger downtown tax base to relief for homeowners.
- Her criticized rent control as a drag on development and urged stricter scrutiny of marquee projects, noting flooding risks for the River Balcony and deferred maintenance in libraries and parks.
- Carter and Her said they support St. Paul Public Schools’ $37 million operating levy, estimated to add about $309 a year for a median-valued home, while Chen said she opposes the measure.
- Five candidates are on the ballot, though Adam Dullinger and Mike Hilborn did not join the forum; voters will use ranked choice on Nov. 4, and the winner will serve a three-year term.