Saint Paul Mayoral Race 2017: Meet The Candidates

SAINT PAUL, MN — With Saint Paul Mayor Chris Coleman leaving office next year to campaign for governor, the city is poised to elect its first new mayor in 11 years on Nov. 7. Residents who want to skip the long lines can vote early from Oct. 31 through Nov. 6.

Early voting locations:

• Ramsey County Elections - Plato Building 90 W Plato Blvd, Saint Paul
• Arlington Hills Community Center 1200 Payne Ave, Saint Paul
• Martin Luther King Recreation Center 271 Mackubin St, Saint Paul
• First Tee at Highland Golf Course 1403 Montreal Ave, Saint Paul
• Ramsey County Library-White Bear Lake 2150 2nd St, White Bear Lake
• Ramsey County Library-Shoreview 4560 N Victoria St, Shoreview

View location hours here.

On Election Day, polls will be open from 7:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m. Voters must be in line by 8:00 p.m. in order to cast a ballot. Voters will be able to rank up to six different candidates in order of preference for the mayoral race.

Four of the five leading candidates in the race are members of Minnesota’s Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party. Elizabeth Dickinson is running as a member of the Green Party. Learn about each of the top five candidates below:

Melvin Carter (Democratic-Farmer-Labor)

Work experience: Saint Paul City Council, Mayor Chris Coleman’s Office, Gov. Mark Dayton's Office

Primary issues: Neighborhood safety, education, economic development

Elizabeth Dickinson (Green Party)

Work experience: National Congress of Parents, Association for Non-Smokers, Healthy Legacy Advocate, Becky Lourey for Governor Campaign Community Affairs Manager, MN AIDS Project, Massachusetts Long-term Substitute Teacher (grades 6-12)

Primary issues: Neighborhood safety, $15/hour minimum wage, energy efficiency, sustainability, affordable housing

Tom Goldstein (Democratic-Farmer-Labor)

Work experience: The Sports Collection, TG Sports Enterprises, Macalester-Groveland Community Council, Ayd Mill Task Force

Primary issues: Neighborhood livability, environmental stewardship, government transparency

Pat Harris (Democratic-Farmer-Labor)

Work experience: Saint Paul City Council, Serving Our Troops, BMO Harris Bank

Primary issues: Affordable housing, education, public safety

Dai Thao (Democratic-Farmer-Labor)

Work experience: ISAIAH, TakeAction, Saint Paul Housing and Redevelopment Authority Board, Saint Paul Port Authority, Saint Paul City Council

Primary issues: Transit, public safety, government accessibility, families, economic development, environment

Helpful links

• For more information on the election, visit the city website.
• Moved recently? In Minnesota you, can register to vote online.

Photos by William Bornhoft/Patch.com