Kaohly Her
Name: Kaohly Her
Email: [email protected]
Campaign Phone: 651-333-8605
Campaign Website: www.kaohlyforstp.com
Twitter handle: (I do not use Twitter), Bluesky is @kaohlyforstp.bsky.social
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/kaohlyforstp
Candidate Bio
I was born in a bamboo hut in the mountains of Laos, and my family came to the United States as refugees when I was three years old. I spent 15 years in the financial services industry, and was a stay-at-home mom for my two now-adult children. When I re-entered the workforce, I worked at the Saint Paul Public Schools as their Board Administrator before joining Melvin Carter’s first administration as his Policy Director, leading many of his initiatives (including a $15/hour minimum wage and establishing savings accounts for each child born in the city).
I have served in the Minnesota Legislature as a State Representative since 2018, leading on many issues, such as establishing and protecting the pensions of numerous public workers, being the first legislative author to introduce the Providing Resources & Opportunity & Maximizing Investments in Striving Entrepreneurs (PROMISE) Act, spurred innovation and entrepreneurship in biomanufacturing in Saint Paul with BioMade, and leading the charge as the chief author of the Equal Rights Amendment. I have also served as the Majority Whip and Speaker Pro Tempore for Speaker Melissa Hortman, and I currently serve as the co-chair for the Commerce Finance and Policy Committee.
What style of leadership would you bring to this position?
I will bring a collaborative and inclusive style of leadership to Saint Paul City Hall. While not everyone will agree with the decisions made, I will be sure to include all relevant partners in decision-making and ensure I am transparent in the decisions I make. This is how I lead my work at the Minnesota Legislature, and it is something that Saint Paul sorely needs. From street design to housing development to public safety to defending our immigrant population – I will strive to include impacted stakeholders in all of these decisions. Even when we do not agree, I will always hear competing perspectives on the issues facing our city.
What would be your top three priorities if elected? How might these priorities be affected by the state's projected economic outlook?
Three major components will help get Saint Paul back on track and out of the trap that ‘ok is good enough.’ These are the main principles I will use to govern our city. We need safe communities, a vibrant economy, and affordable, abundant housing.
Safe Communities
We all deserve to feel safe in our neighborhoods. Non-police emergency calls have doubled in the last year. We face continued challenges with mental health and drug use. I’ll support all of our first responders and build strong partnerships with county and state partners to make all of our neighborhoods safer.
Vibrant economy
A thriving economy is essential for our city. Development has stalled — at the Ford site, Midway, and downtown. We are losing critical retailers in our neighborhoods, like grocery stores and restaurants, and our tax base is stretched thin. We must collaborate with residents, community organizations, local unions, developers, and the state to help Saint Paul’s economy thrive.
Affordable, abundant housing
We all deserve a place to call home. I've heard from too many of our neighbors, from students to seniors, that housing is too expensive. As mayor, I’ll work with the county and state to build more public housing, local independent developers to build affordable housing, and large developers to build more market-rate units.
What do you consider the biggest challenge and conversely, the biggest opportunity in Saint Paul?
The biggest challenge that our city faces is our ability to weather the low property tax base into the future of our city. We must find a way to grow housing (public, affordable, and market-rate) and commercial real estate across the entire city.
Our most significant opportunity in Saint Paul is that we have an excellent base of workers and residents across the entire city that can meet the challenges before us. Our workforce is high-quality and full of potential that can take us forward into the future.
What is your perspective on the rent stabilization ordinance in Saint Paul, and how do you view its effect on housing availability, affordability, and the city's economic climate?
I am glad that adjustments have been made to the rent stabilization ordinance that better balance the needs of small developers as well as protect the renters across our city. As someone who has passed significant tenant protections, I know how important it is to ensure our renters' rights are protected and strengthened. We can let the dust settle on the changes to the rent stabilization ordinance that balance the needs of small developers and larger, market-rate focused housing developers. There must be ways for us to increase the property tax base of our city while protecting our renters.
What steps would you take to revitalize downtown Saint Paul and promote long-term economic growth in the area?
With the passage of the administrative citations ballot question, evaluation of the empty high-rise buildings in downtown, and wraparound services for people experiencing homelessness, we can tackle this giant challenge together. We need city budgeting that looks beyond a single year, and this long-term budgeting will help with a strategic plan for downtown. It has taken years for downtown to reach its current state, and it will take years of creative problem-solving to get us back on track. As Mayor, I will leverage the excellent work of organizations that care about our city who are seeking to revitalize downtown, while looking to include all voices from immigrant business owners to our sports teams to our cultural and civic leaders into making Downtown Saint Paul a destination for living, working, and entertainment. For example, building downtown development while integrating childcare options helps make downtown livable and workable for our city’s families.
Please characterize your perspective on the ideal collaboration between government and the business community when it comes to tackling challenges whether they be education, housing, or workforce development?
Businesses in our city are partners in making progress on the biggest issues that face our city. Institutional entities, such as the Labor Standards Advisory Committee, which advises the city on the intersection of labor and industry, are a good example of a collaborative partnership that I seek to cultivate. I also ensure that I will meet with partners (such as the Downtown Alliance, anchor corporations, and innovators) who are involved in positive solutions for the future of the city. We need a mayor that is actively invested in filling our vacant spaces, whether that is bringing in new tenants because of our strong workforce, transit availability, and great schools or by using zoning, citations, and vacancy ordinances to get our commercial spaces used.
How would you characterize the business climate in Saint Paul and what role do you think the city should have in attracting and retaining jobs and new businesses in Saint Paul?
I would characterize the business climate of Saint Paul as in transition. We need to make it easier for business owners to open a business in the city by streamlining the approval process for their specific industries. We also need to make it easier for business owners to own their buildings, build equity in their space, and provide generational wealth in communities that are too often left behind. When talking to voters and business owners in Saint Paul, I have heard three complaints about doing business in the city: getting accurate information in a timely and transparent manner, the need for greater consistency in the creation and enforcement of ordinances, and businesses knowing that their employees and customers feel safe working, eating, and shopping in all of our neighborhoods.
What are your strategies to address public safety challenges in your community?
I plan to focus on bringing all of the levels of government (city, county, state, and federal, where appropriate) to deliver services and provide better outcomes for people experiencing homelessness and instances of substance use disorder. We need to focus on a holistic, regional approach to housing and emergency shelters so that people can get the help they need in a judgment-free environment. We also need outreach workers and our public safety personnel equipped with medications to reverse opioid use disorder withdrawal symptoms to make our public spaces and transit corridors work better for our population. Overall, violent crime is down, and we should all celebrate this improvement. However, too many of our neighbors do not feel safe going about their day. We must do better.
How would you work to improve transportation options in your community, including improved safety for transit riders, pedestrian/bike, and drivers alike?
As we redevelop our city streets, we have an opportunity to make them work for the diverse needs of our residents and visitors. Separated bike lanes, with permanent barriers, keep riders and pedestrians safe. Improved Bus Rapid Transit options that are rolling out across the Metro Transit service area will help workers, shoppers, and families get where they’re going faster. I feel confident we can preserve enough parking in our business corridors to draw local shoppers and attract visitors.
Cities have addressed many ongoing needs with temporary, federal COVID relief dollars, what are your plans to ensure fiscal stability with the uncertainty surrounding future federal funding and the expiration of temporary COVID relief dollars?
We, unfortunately, cannot count on the federal government under the Trump administration to support our city or our state. That is why digging into how to grow our tax base, increase city revenues, and provide a well-functioning set of city services for all our residents. With my background in finance and non-profit management, I have worked with large organizations with substantial budgets, and I will bring that expertise to make our city services transparent and efficient. I also have an excellent relationship with our Federal office holders, and I'm ready to be the kind of advocate Saint Paul needs to deliver for our residents. We need innovation in how to grow our fiscal future, such as establishing an Urban Wealth Fund, where we can leverage our vast, non-taxable assets to drive investment in our city’s future (demonstrated in municipalities such as Copenhagen, Hamburg, and Singapore).
Uber/Lyft wages and proposed childcare subsidies funded by local property taxes are just a few areas where local units of government are wading into policy debates that may be best suited at the state. Please articulate the different scopes of work between state and local government (City/County). Are there specific areas of policy that the city should lead on in lieu of the state or county government?
Getting the basics right in a city like Saint Paul is extremely important. We need to make sure that residents and visitors see how we can make things function. The city should lead in the basics of trash pickup, safe streets, and economic development in our commercial corridors and across the whole city. There is a role for the city government to play in advocating for our neighbors (especially when many of our immigrant neighbors feel real fear from the Trump administration), but we must work across the city, county, and state to be nimble and forward-thinking on the most significant issues of this political moment. I believe we can be leaders locally on issues that are central to our values, while at the same time doing a much better job of making sure we deliver on the basics.
Email: [email protected]
Campaign Phone: 651-333-8605
Campaign Website: www.kaohlyforstp.com
Twitter handle: (I do not use Twitter), Bluesky is @kaohlyforstp.bsky.social
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/kaohlyforstp
Candidate Bio
I was born in a bamboo hut in the mountains of Laos, and my family came to the United States as refugees when I was three years old. I spent 15 years in the financial services industry, and was a stay-at-home mom for my two now-adult children. When I re-entered the workforce, I worked at the Saint Paul Public Schools as their Board Administrator before joining Melvin Carter’s first administration as his Policy Director, leading many of his initiatives (including a $15/hour minimum wage and establishing savings accounts for each child born in the city).
I have served in the Minnesota Legislature as a State Representative since 2018, leading on many issues, such as establishing and protecting the pensions of numerous public workers, being the first legislative author to introduce the Providing Resources & Opportunity & Maximizing Investments in Striving Entrepreneurs (PROMISE) Act, spurred innovation and entrepreneurship in biomanufacturing in Saint Paul with BioMade, and leading the charge as the chief author of the Equal Rights Amendment. I have also served as the Majority Whip and Speaker Pro Tempore for Speaker Melissa Hortman, and I currently serve as the co-chair for the Commerce Finance and Policy Committee.
What style of leadership would you bring to this position?
I will bring a collaborative and inclusive style of leadership to Saint Paul City Hall. While not everyone will agree with the decisions made, I will be sure to include all relevant partners in decision-making and ensure I am transparent in the decisions I make. This is how I lead my work at the Minnesota Legislature, and it is something that Saint Paul sorely needs. From street design to housing development to public safety to defending our immigrant population – I will strive to include impacted stakeholders in all of these decisions. Even when we do not agree, I will always hear competing perspectives on the issues facing our city.
What would be your top three priorities if elected? How might these priorities be affected by the state's projected economic outlook?
Three major components will help get Saint Paul back on track and out of the trap that ‘ok is good enough.’ These are the main principles I will use to govern our city. We need safe communities, a vibrant economy, and affordable, abundant housing.
Safe Communities
We all deserve to feel safe in our neighborhoods. Non-police emergency calls have doubled in the last year. We face continued challenges with mental health and drug use. I’ll support all of our first responders and build strong partnerships with county and state partners to make all of our neighborhoods safer.
Vibrant economy
A thriving economy is essential for our city. Development has stalled — at the Ford site, Midway, and downtown. We are losing critical retailers in our neighborhoods, like grocery stores and restaurants, and our tax base is stretched thin. We must collaborate with residents, community organizations, local unions, developers, and the state to help Saint Paul’s economy thrive.
Affordable, abundant housing
We all deserve a place to call home. I've heard from too many of our neighbors, from students to seniors, that housing is too expensive. As mayor, I’ll work with the county and state to build more public housing, local independent developers to build affordable housing, and large developers to build more market-rate units.
What do you consider the biggest challenge and conversely, the biggest opportunity in Saint Paul?
The biggest challenge that our city faces is our ability to weather the low property tax base into the future of our city. We must find a way to grow housing (public, affordable, and market-rate) and commercial real estate across the entire city.
Our most significant opportunity in Saint Paul is that we have an excellent base of workers and residents across the entire city that can meet the challenges before us. Our workforce is high-quality and full of potential that can take us forward into the future.
What is your perspective on the rent stabilization ordinance in Saint Paul, and how do you view its effect on housing availability, affordability, and the city's economic climate?
I am glad that adjustments have been made to the rent stabilization ordinance that better balance the needs of small developers as well as protect the renters across our city. As someone who has passed significant tenant protections, I know how important it is to ensure our renters' rights are protected and strengthened. We can let the dust settle on the changes to the rent stabilization ordinance that balance the needs of small developers and larger, market-rate focused housing developers. There must be ways for us to increase the property tax base of our city while protecting our renters.
What steps would you take to revitalize downtown Saint Paul and promote long-term economic growth in the area?
With the passage of the administrative citations ballot question, evaluation of the empty high-rise buildings in downtown, and wraparound services for people experiencing homelessness, we can tackle this giant challenge together. We need city budgeting that looks beyond a single year, and this long-term budgeting will help with a strategic plan for downtown. It has taken years for downtown to reach its current state, and it will take years of creative problem-solving to get us back on track. As Mayor, I will leverage the excellent work of organizations that care about our city who are seeking to revitalize downtown, while looking to include all voices from immigrant business owners to our sports teams to our cultural and civic leaders into making Downtown Saint Paul a destination for living, working, and entertainment. For example, building downtown development while integrating childcare options helps make downtown livable and workable for our city’s families.
Please characterize your perspective on the ideal collaboration between government and the business community when it comes to tackling challenges whether they be education, housing, or workforce development?
Businesses in our city are partners in making progress on the biggest issues that face our city. Institutional entities, such as the Labor Standards Advisory Committee, which advises the city on the intersection of labor and industry, are a good example of a collaborative partnership that I seek to cultivate. I also ensure that I will meet with partners (such as the Downtown Alliance, anchor corporations, and innovators) who are involved in positive solutions for the future of the city. We need a mayor that is actively invested in filling our vacant spaces, whether that is bringing in new tenants because of our strong workforce, transit availability, and great schools or by using zoning, citations, and vacancy ordinances to get our commercial spaces used.
How would you characterize the business climate in Saint Paul and what role do you think the city should have in attracting and retaining jobs and new businesses in Saint Paul?
I would characterize the business climate of Saint Paul as in transition. We need to make it easier for business owners to open a business in the city by streamlining the approval process for their specific industries. We also need to make it easier for business owners to own their buildings, build equity in their space, and provide generational wealth in communities that are too often left behind. When talking to voters and business owners in Saint Paul, I have heard three complaints about doing business in the city: getting accurate information in a timely and transparent manner, the need for greater consistency in the creation and enforcement of ordinances, and businesses knowing that their employees and customers feel safe working, eating, and shopping in all of our neighborhoods.
What are your strategies to address public safety challenges in your community?
I plan to focus on bringing all of the levels of government (city, county, state, and federal, where appropriate) to deliver services and provide better outcomes for people experiencing homelessness and instances of substance use disorder. We need to focus on a holistic, regional approach to housing and emergency shelters so that people can get the help they need in a judgment-free environment. We also need outreach workers and our public safety personnel equipped with medications to reverse opioid use disorder withdrawal symptoms to make our public spaces and transit corridors work better for our population. Overall, violent crime is down, and we should all celebrate this improvement. However, too many of our neighbors do not feel safe going about their day. We must do better.
How would you work to improve transportation options in your community, including improved safety for transit riders, pedestrian/bike, and drivers alike?
As we redevelop our city streets, we have an opportunity to make them work for the diverse needs of our residents and visitors. Separated bike lanes, with permanent barriers, keep riders and pedestrians safe. Improved Bus Rapid Transit options that are rolling out across the Metro Transit service area will help workers, shoppers, and families get where they’re going faster. I feel confident we can preserve enough parking in our business corridors to draw local shoppers and attract visitors.
Cities have addressed many ongoing needs with temporary, federal COVID relief dollars, what are your plans to ensure fiscal stability with the uncertainty surrounding future federal funding and the expiration of temporary COVID relief dollars?
We, unfortunately, cannot count on the federal government under the Trump administration to support our city or our state. That is why digging into how to grow our tax base, increase city revenues, and provide a well-functioning set of city services for all our residents. With my background in finance and non-profit management, I have worked with large organizations with substantial budgets, and I will bring that expertise to make our city services transparent and efficient. I also have an excellent relationship with our Federal office holders, and I'm ready to be the kind of advocate Saint Paul needs to deliver for our residents. We need innovation in how to grow our fiscal future, such as establishing an Urban Wealth Fund, where we can leverage our vast, non-taxable assets to drive investment in our city’s future (demonstrated in municipalities such as Copenhagen, Hamburg, and Singapore).
Uber/Lyft wages and proposed childcare subsidies funded by local property taxes are just a few areas where local units of government are wading into policy debates that may be best suited at the state. Please articulate the different scopes of work between state and local government (City/County). Are there specific areas of policy that the city should lead on in lieu of the state or county government?
Getting the basics right in a city like Saint Paul is extremely important. We need to make sure that residents and visitors see how we can make things function. The city should lead in the basics of trash pickup, safe streets, and economic development in our commercial corridors and across the whole city. There is a role for the city government to play in advocating for our neighbors (especially when many of our immigrant neighbors feel real fear from the Trump administration), but we must work across the city, county, and state to be nimble and forward-thinking on the most significant issues of this political moment. I believe we can be leaders locally on issues that are central to our values, while at the same time doing a much better job of making sure we deliver on the basics.