Melvin Carter
Minnesota Democratic Governor nominee?
$482.5K
AUG 12, 2026Primary Election
Party selects its nominee.
Overview
Current roleMayor
PartyDemocratic
Political ideologyProgressive Democrat
Age47 years old (Jan 8, 1979)
GenderMale
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LocationMinnesota
BackgroundPolitician
EducationSt. Paul Central High School
Notable personal detailsMelvin Whitfield Carter III is an American politician who served as mayor of Saint Paul, Minnesota from 2018 to 2025 (with his term ending in early 2026). He previously represented Ward 1 on the Saint Paul City Council (2008–2013) and later led Minnesota early childhood initiatives, including serving as director of the Minnesota Office of Early Learning and as executive director of the Minnesota Children’s Cabinet. He is a graduate of Saint Paul Public Schools and attended Florida A&M University.
SourcesShowHide
Positions
Economy & Taxes
Supports raising local taxes (property tax levy increases) to fund city services, housing and public safety investments while opposing some narrowly designed tax measures he views as insufficient or poorly scoped. Has proposed multi-year property tax levy increases and budgets that prioritize expanded spending on housing, public safety, and targeted programs funded in part by higher local levies.
Healthcare
As Mayor of Saint Paul, Melvin Carter has supported actions to increase access to healthcare and reduce financial barriers to care, including a city Medical Debt Reset Initiative that uses public funds to purchase and erase residents’ medical debt. He has framed medical-debt relief as improving community health and partnered with nonprofit organizations and health systems to implement relief programs. Endorsements from health worker groups highlight his focus on equitable public-health solutions rather than market-based rollbacks of coverage.
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Immigration & Border
Supports protections for immigrants and refugees, including city programs that assist naturalization and legal defense, and opposes local cooperation with federal immigration enforcement. Has led St. Paul to maintain a sanctuary-style stance and join legal actions defending the city’s ability to serve residents regardless of immigration status.
Abortion & Reproductive Rights
The candidate supports abortion access and opposed the Supreme Court’s overturning of Roe v. Wade; he participated with Democratic leaders at a Planned Parenthood clinic visit to highlight protecting reproductive health care. His public appearances and statements align with protecting access to reproductive health services in Minnesota.
Climate & Energy
As mayor of Saint Paul Melvin Carter has led adoption of an official Climate Action & Resilience Plan with targets to cut emissions roughly in half by 2030 and achieve carbon neutrality by 2050, and has advanced municipal clean-energy initiatives including an electric vehicle fleet, geothermal projects, and building energy-efficiency programs. His administration has pursued clean-energy investments and partnerships to expand renewables and reduce building and transportation emissions.
Public Safety & Guns
Supports strong gun violence prevention measures including bans on assault-style weapons and high-capacity magazines, universal background checks, red-flag laws, and local ordinances restricting firearms in sensitive public spaces; also advocates safe storage requirements and using city authority to act when state preemption is lifted. Positions reflect a public-health approach to reducing gun violence and support for empowering cities to adopt stricter local rules.
News
Recent Minnesota political news centers on the 2026 governor’s race opening up after Gov. Tim Walz said he will not seek elected office again. Sen. Amy Klobuchar has announced she is running for the Democratic nomination, emphasizing a need for leadership and aiming to build a broad coalition. These developments shape the field and competitive landscape for other candidates, including Melvin Carter.
From fraud allegations to federal force, Minnesota faces widening crisis
Sen. Amy Klobuchar announces Minnesota governor campaign
Minnesota Gov. Walz says he won't run for public office again
Keith Ellison won’t run for governor, will seek reelection as attorney general
Endorsements
Endorsers of Melvin Carter for Minnesota Democratic Governor nominee?
SEIU Minnesota State Council
Elected official
SEIU Minnesota State Council endorsed Melvin Carter for re-election as St. Paul mayor.
Saint Paul Federation of Teachers
Elected official
Saint Paul Federation of Teachers endorsed Mayor Melvin Carter.
Saint Paul Federation of Educators
Elected official
Saint Paul Federation of Educators endorsed Mayor Melvin Carter.
Minnesota Nurses Association
Advocacy group
Minnesota Nurses Association endorsed Melvin Carter in the St. Paul mayoral race.
New updates coming soon
We're monitoring and will update when new data impacts the race.
- Polls
- Fundraising