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Yan Chen
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Homeowners have been struggling with substantial assessments that feel like they ought to be covered by existing taxes.  What is your approach to such assessments, and would you support capping them?

  • After comparing Saint Paul’s budget with other cities, both in and outside Minnesota, it’s clear that some of our city departments are underperforming. That is absolutely unacceptable in my administration.

  • The Public Works Department will be one of my top priorities. Each year, it operates with a $200 million budget, yet residents aren’t seeing $200 million worth of results when compared with surrounding cities. I will appoint a department leader with deep expertise, someone committed to analyzing our past performance and benchmarking it apples to apples against other cities to ensure we deliver real value for your tax dollars.

  • I don’t want to promise something I can’t deliver, such as capping assessments without a solid basis. However, I believe that once we conduct a detailed analysis, the data will speak for itself, and we’ll see that no artificial cap is needed when we start comparing our results with surrounding cities.

What is your plan for lowering taxes while not sacrificing important programs and services?

  • I will never cut any effective services.  In fact, my goal is to improve our services so that Saint Paul becomes more competitive and livable.

  • For each city department, I will appoint a leader with deep expertise in their field, someone willing to evaluate every program by asking three key questions:

  • Is the program effective?

  • If it’s effective, is it efficient?

  • How does our performance compare with surrounding cities?

  • I will start by studying Madison, Wisconsin’s budget blueprint. Madison has a similar population and climate and even more square miles than Saint Paul, yet their budget delivers far better results. By learning from their success and applying those lessons here, we can make Saint Paul’s city government work smarter and serve residents better.

  • And I won’t stop there. Minnesota’s League of Cities has a wealth of data and best practices that our city leadership should be tapping into. We don’t need to reinvent the wheel. We just need to start learning from those who are already doing it right.

What are your thoughts on creating affordable housing by converting long-vacant downtown office buildings into residential spaces, and what are your plans for the overall revitalization of Downtown Saint Paul?

  • I once thought office-to-residential conversions were the silver bullet to solve our downtown problems because I care deeply about seeing our city thrive again. But after learning more and watching a recent example unfold, I saw how much it actually cost our residents while developers walked away with the benefit. That broke my heart. It showed me how even well-intended government actions can have painful, unintended consequences. Too often, our leaders don’t stop to ask whether we’re truly repairing the ship or just rearranging the deck chairs on the Titanic. I’m grateful for the chance to share what I’ve learned with you. Please hear me out.

  • Commercial buildings are built very differently from residential ones: their plumbing, electrical, and HVAC systems are completely incompatible. In most cases, it’s actually more cost-effective to demolish and rebuild than to convert.

  • Take Landmark Towers as an example. Experts say it’s the easiest building in St. Paul to convert because it already includes a partial residential section. Yet this single project will cost our taxpayers $20 million in future city tax revenue, plus $20 million in state tax credits and $20 million in federal tax credits, that’s $60 million total. Imagine how much good that money could do if invested elsewhere with real returns. Right now, all the money was for the developers so that they can collect rents.

  • My Plan to Revitalize Downtown—Without Subsidies

  • Reassess our downtown real estate.
    Let’s take a hard look at how much we’ve overbuilt commercially. For 30 years, we’ve been paying for empty space because the city never brought enough businesses to fill it. It’s time to decide which buildings are truly worth saving.

  • Make St. Paul safe and compassionate.
    We must learn how to help people rebuild their lives: rehabilitate those who’ve made mistakes and reintegrate our homeless population into society through jobs, good social support, and stable housing. A city has to be safe if we want to have businesses

  • Boost our small businesses, and support entrepreneurship.
    We already have 9,000 residents living downtown, yet most don’t shop downtown. Let’s change that by making it easier and more enjoyable for small businesses to thrive here.

  • Make downtown parking free (with limits).
    The city owns five parking ramps. Let’s make them free for short visits, two hours or less, to bring people back downtown without costing taxpayers another dime.

  • All of these steps can be done without new tax subsidies by using our existing assets smarter and focusing on long-term, organic growth.

What are your thoughts on the vacant CVS at University and Snelling?

  • Right now, it appears that CVS is moving toward demolition, and I am not going to stop that. However, my job as mayor will be to immediately address the homelessness issue in our city. I want to call your attention to Beacon Interfaith, which operates Kimball Court next door. Beacon Interfaith bought Kimball Court in 2010 and has used the building as affordable housing, following a “Housing First” model to house individuals exiting homelessness. Clearly, this model has not been effective in helping residents reintegrate into our broader society. There are many successful examples across the country where organizations have helped people transition out of homelessness and rebuild their lives, and we need to learn from those. Otherwise, money is simply wasted, and people aren’t getting the help they need.

  • Public health is primarily the responsibility of the county and the state, along with other nonprofit and faith-based organizations. As mayor, my role will be to help residents understand the results of these efforts by showing:

  • How many operators are involved, and

  • How effective each one is in helping people move forward and reintegrate into our greater community.

  • As mayor, I will serve as the coordinator for this effort. By using the data obtained from our city employees, learning from results, and engaging all involved partners in open discussions. While the city is not the operator of public health programs, we will act as the catalyst that brings these efforts together to achieve better results for everyone.

Seriously though, you plan to lower city taxes without sacrificing services?

  • Correct, I don’t plan to cut any services. If anything, I want to expand them. Our city hasn’t spent money wisely. For example, we’ve invested more in shiny new facilities than in useful programs. Beautiful buildings might help improve our parks’ national rankings, but they don’t necessarily provide residents, especially low-income families, with more opportunities or meaningful support. The same goes for our libraries. They need to evolve with our residents’ changing needs, ensuring that people can easily find effective programs and services. We must review all existing programs, keep those that truly serve our residents, and eliminate those that have become obsolete over time.

  • I will approach city revenue with a two-pronged strategy:

  • Stop the bleeding of our future revenues by closely examining every action our city takes and eliminating those that drain our financial resources without real returns.

  • Grow our revenue by planning and supporting projects that not only sound good on paper but actually generate sustainable, long-term value for our city.

  • I’ll give you just one example of how our city has weakened its own tax base: by giving developers $50 million of future tax dollars in the Highland Bridge development, all in the name of gaining a small portion of affordable housing. You can see more in this video: Tax Increment Financing Explained With Two Real Examples in St. Paul. The last two minutes focus on Highland Bridge.

You’ve talked about "eliminating unnecessary and cumbersome regulations,” but how are you weighing business needs against community needs to determine which regulations are “unnecessary” or “cumbersome”?

  • We absolutely need to regulate businesses when they become too powerful, but we must also give small businesses room to grow. Unfortunately, our city often does the opposite: it over-regulates small businesses while letting big corporations operate with little oversight. That imbalance is unhealthy for our local economy. Of course, small businesses should still follow fair rules, but those rules should be consistent with neighboring cities so we don’t drive them away. For large corporations, each situation should be evaluated case by case because one size should never fit all.

You’ve talked about supporting police and passing "new needed ordinances and eliminating old unnecessary ordinances", so how are you making these determinations?

  • Our city doesn’t have a strong crime ordinance focused on hot-spots. Any officer can tell you where the hot-spots are. If we both (1) remove the structural causes that create hot-spots and (2) give focused help to people who need it, we’ll cut emergency calls, keep neighborhoods safer, and save taxpayer money. Please see the following videos for details:
    1) https://youtu.be/huiXTig3fx0 “You Can’t Clean Up Crime Without Cleaning Up Policy”,
    2) https://youtu.be/E6Hz3CoKCxI “What Happens After Crime? The Answer Could Change Everything”.

  • A police officer told me that we still have an ordinance allowing fines for spitting in public. Clearly, it’s not being enforced. If we keep such ordinances on the books, we should enforce them uniformly. Otherwise, we should provide clear guidelines so that officers can exercise appropriate discretion rather than leaving it to personal judgment.

You’ve said, "instead of pouring future taxpayer dollars into costly new construction, let the private market build."  What new construction are you talking about?  Private developers aren’t interested in infrastructure and public transit. What private construction projects would you like to see, and where would the the public feel the economic benefits?

  • The private market rarely invests in essential infrastructure or the long-term future of our city. That responsibility falls squarely on our government. It’s up to us to engage the private sector in ways that create true win-win outcomes. Private businesses are naturally more dynamic and adaptable because they are driven by profit. As a government, I have no intention of eliminating that profit motive, but we must ensure that private gains never come at the expense of our residents’ financial future.

  • John Mannillo explained very clearly how the Highland Bridge project could have been handled differently. We even had a successful precedent: WeiMing Lu revitalized Lowertown in the 1980s without relying on government subsidies. John fought hard to bring this kind of thinking to City Hall by running for city council, but unfortunately, he couldn’t change the course alone. If our government is willing to learn from past mistakes and think carefully about each step it takes, we can absolutely achieve a future where both the private and public sectors thrive together.

What is your plan to improve schools, especially “low performing” ones, and have you determined which schools might be negatively impacted?

  • As mayor, I will always respect the boundaries between different levels of government. But I believe in sharing information and clear reasoning because every government’s action, whether city, county, state, or federal, ultimately affects our residents.

  • That’s why I’ve chosen to be your tax-dollar watchdog: to make sure you have the knowledge to advocate for yourself, and to give other agencies the insight to do better if they choose to.

  • I don’t believe in a top-down approach. Real change happens from the bottom up when people are informed, empowered, and engaged.

  • A third of our property tax dollars go to the school system, and our city’s property tax rate is already higher than surrounding cities. I believe it’s reasonable for the city to coordinate with our school system. When families and residents aren’t thriving, someone needs to speak up.

  • I will hire one city staff member dedicated to recruiting community members who have deep, firsthand experience with public schools, charter schools, and other education systems. Together, they will conduct an independent assessment of our school performance and identify practical ways to improve. I will share those results openly with both the community and the schools so residents can be better informed and empowered to advocate for real progress, even without direct city involvement.

Seniors especially need property tax relief. What's your plan?

  • My plan for seniors is twofold.

  • The first part of my plan is designed to benefit everyone in our city by lowering taxes while improving services. This must be done to make Saint Paul more competitive with surrounding communities. I understand the urgency, which is why I want these changes to begin taking effect in 2027, when I will have overseen the operations for the 2026 budget year. You can find more details about this part of the plan in another thread.

  • The second part is a long-term plan that focuses specifically on seniors. It will take time to bear fruit, but it’s essential for the well-being of both our older residents and the next generation of homeowners.

  • Here’s the problem:
    Many seniors want to live with more convenience, comfort, and connection in clean, affordable, community-based housing where life can be easier and more enjoyable. But currently, for many of them, it’s far cheaper to stay in their existing homes than to move into even a modest, well-run retirement community. As a result, they often feel stuck.

  • At the same time, this means that younger families can’t find homes to buy, because many of the houses that would otherwise be passed on to the next generation remain occupied by seniors who can’t afford to move. Our society becomes stuck: seniors feel trapped in homes that no longer suit their needs, and younger residents are locked out of homeownership.

  • To “unstick” this system will require cooperation beyond the city level. Federal action is needed, because the federal government has far greater resources that shape housing subsidies.

  • As I have said many times, I decided to become your tax-dollar watchdog, not just at the city level, but across all levels of government. Our working residents pay far more in federal income taxes than they do in local property taxes, and they deserve to know that their money is being used wisely.

  • Unfortunately, a series of federal policy mistakes over the years have contributed to the situation we face today where many seniors cannot downsize without financial penalty and live with growing insecurity about their future.

  • I want to directly engage with federal leaders, our House Representative and Senators to begin this conversation and push for real solutions that allow seniors to move more freely, live with dignity, and enjoy their later years without fear of losing stability or comfort. I know this is asking a lot, but it’s a conversation that must happen and the time to start is now.

  • This is not just a Saint Paul problem; it’s a national one. Seniors across the country face the same trap, and it ripples through our housing market, our families, and our communities. Someone needs to raise their voice on this issue, and I am ready to be that voice for our seniors, for our families, and for a more balanced and compassionate society.

You’ve said your solution to the ICE problem is to “talk to the federal government” regarding fair treatment of our citizens. What is your actual plan to deal with ICE?

  • In my view, a mayor has to do two jobs at once. First, run city departments efficiently and effectively. Second, help residents understand the root causes of the problems they face and empower them to decide what to do next.

  • On that note, Mayor Carter has done an excellent job by working closely with our City Attorney’s Office to act judiciously, both by preventing our police force from engaging with ICE on immigration matters and by defending the rights of our city and our residents. Nevertheless, while fiercely defending our city is absolutely necessary, it is not sufficient to protect our residents from the endless fear tactics introduced by the federal government. As mayor, I believe we must go one step further, by empowering our residents to advocate for themselves. In this spirit, I made the following video. Please take a look.

  • https://youtu.be/YZsgmfZtDDQ  Blame Immigrants? No! Blame Incompetent Federal Leadership

  • I hope this perspective helps you, as a taxpayer, see where the real responsibility lies and inspires all of us to urge our federal government to focus on the urgent issues that truly matter: affordability, housing, and opportunity for all.

You don’t appear to have had conversations with union leaders, received endorsements from unions, or taken a clear stance on organized labor.  So, what is your stance on unions and organized labor?

  • My team and I have inquired for support numerous times, and even picketed with the nurses Union, but the unions that responded to us opted as they usually do, to support members of the political establishment instead of a newcomer, especially someone who insists on using taxpayer money wisely. Some worry that I plan to cut the workforce or reduce services to save money. I disagree completely.

  • Our real problem is management, not labor. The way priorities are set has a direct impact on workers’ performance. In St Paul’s strong mayor system, I will take full responsibility for appointing the right leaders for each department. If a department underperforms, its leader will be held accountable and if my appointees fail to deliver, I’ll take responsibility myself. At the end of the day, all responsibility rests with me, and I welcome that challenge.

  • It’s time for us to reimagine how we engage and empower our workers in more productive ways. I want to be part of that conversation. As a hands-on person, I know firsthand how much time and dedication it takes to get a job done right.

Rising property taxes, unemployment rates, and the cost of living are a problem.  Soon, even more residents will be forced into foreclosure. How will you keep property taxes from increasing?

  • I’m truly sorry to hear this. Losing a job while everything else keeps getting more expensive is incredibly hard. I hope our city can be the exception by not adding to its residents’ burdens additionally.

  • As mayor, I’m fully committed to ensuring our city’s property tax levy growth does not exceed the rate of inflation while still protecting the essential services our residents rely on in their daily lives.

  • The wildcard is that only about one-third of your property tax goes to the city; another third goes to the county and the remaining third to the school board. While I will lead by example and share data-driven recommendations with them, it will also take residents’ voices and advocacy to make sure all levels of government act responsibly so your overall property taxes stop rising faster than your income.

How do you feel about the expression "people over profit?"

  • I love this question. To me, profit is a measuring tool, a way to evaluate how well we’re doing. But when profit becomes detached from the human condition, it loses its boundary and purpose. Every system needs boundaries because we live in a society where we depend on one another to thrive. People must be part of the profit equation, and maintaining that balance is delicate. If profit is made while people suffer, it’s the government’s duty to step in and restore balance. But if we focus only on people and neglect profit, we risk becoming too static, losing the freedom and dynamism that drive progress and joy.

What part of Saint Paul do you live in, and why haven’t we heard of you?  Do you have any experience participating in neighborhood groups or district councils?

  • I live in the Summit-University neighborhood. My journey into local politics began in early 2022, when I studied our city budget and was alarmed by what I found, no fraud, but deeply troubling trends. If someone like me, with no prior experience in city government, could see that things were headed in the wrong direction, why weren’t our elected officials taking action? That question sparked my passion for doing things differently.

  • Since then, I’ve attended weekly lunch forums to discuss issues facing St. Paul, joined In$ightStPaul as one of its earliest members, and engaged with as many community organizations as possible. I’ve visited 17 of our district councils and currently serve on the Summit-University District Council board. I’m now on a leave of absence from the board while running for office so I can focus fully on bringing meaningful change to our city.

You’ve talked about older residents needing to downsize and renters needing more housing options, but you’ve called for a moratorium on multi-unit housing around St. Thomas with little explanation.
What data is driving your decision, and what is your rationale overall?

  • I agreed on a temporary moratorium for the student housing district, But my goal is to propose an alternative moratorium, one that is more universal in scope. Instead of maintaining a temporary moratorium specific to the St. Thomas area, this alternative would focus on preventing the demolition of structurally sound residential housing for redevelopment purposes. This broader approach would help preserve naturally affordable housing citywide while still allowing thoughtful development in areas that truly need renewal.

  •  If our goal is to build more multi-unit housing, we have better options. There are many vacant lots and properties with serious structural issues that could be redeveloped instead. We must be extremely cautious about demolishing solid older homes in the name of development, because doing so accelerates gentrification, and once the affordable homes are gone, they’re gone for good.

  • From what I’ve seen, most of the homes demolished in the St. Thomas area were in excellent condition. The university has ample land of its own to expand student housing, rather than encroaching on the city’s naturally affordable neighborhoods. We should always remember that new construction is inherently more expensive than preserving or reusing existing housing.

I don’t trust government to lower taxes properly, if at all. 
What are your thoughts on this?

  • Yes, after studying our city’s past budgets, I have to reluctantly agree with you. That’s exactly why I want to show that things can be done differently. In city government, there’s no better position to prove that than the mayor, because the mayor is ultimately responsible for how the city’s money is spent. The city council can pass a budget, but it’s the operator who determines how well it’s executed. If the operator doesn’t understand how to manage it effectively and efficiently, taxpayers will inevitably suffer.

You seem like you might be a republican in disguise.
In what ways are you different from a republican candidate?

  • I am pro-science and science-education. I am against ICE acting lawlessly/illegally in our city streets. I supported the No Kings marches in recent months.

  • To me, the core difference between a Republican and a Democrat is whether they believe in government. I believe in government and I believe it can serve the common good when it’s competent and knows how to get things done. I also believe in business, especially small and medium-sized ones, but I grow wary when a company becomes so large that it monopolizes the market.

I would be happy with you as mayor, but I’m not sure I can rank you first.  I just don’t find great differences between the three major “non-partisan” labor candidates.  What are the top three things that differentiate yourself versus Melvin Carter and Kaohly Her?

  • I’m not going to comment on Her.  I’m running to unseat Mayor Melvin Carter because results matter.

  • I will never call for a sales tax increase because:
    a. It makes our local businesses less competitive.
    b. It hurts people who rely on those businesses.
    c. The mayor could have done a lot better with the money we already have instead of asking taxpayers for more.

  • I’ll work much harder to secure a better garbage contract for residents and deliver better city services, such as safety, snow removal, and Parks and Rec programs.

  • And I’ll tackle housing issues with smarter, more effective solutions, not the misguided “rent control” policy that’s hurt renters and damaged our housing market at the same time

What’s your plan to support the Summit Avenue Regional Trail?

  • Right now, I disagree with rushing into the Summit Avenue project because the potential gain is not cost-effective and lacks alignment with a long-term, citywide strategy.

  • I would not make dramatic layout changes to Summit Avenue west of Lexington, since it already has a well-designed and pleasant bike lane. However, we could consider improving it by switching the positions of the bike lane and parking lane. This could enhance safety and usability without major reconstruction, just a simple repainting, which shouldn’t be too costly.

  • However, east of Lexington, the bike lane is narrow, the traffic is heavy, and the noise level is high. Anyone who has walked there can feel how congested it is.

  • Here, I’d like to explore an alternative idea: converting that stretch of Summit into a one-way street. This could allow for a wider, safer bike lane while cutting traffic in half. Of course, we would need to redirect the other half of the traffic flow, and Grand Avenue could be a potential option.

  • Grand Avenue itself could benefit from a redesign, perhaps a one-way layout that provides more diagonal on-street parking to support local businesses while also accommodating a bike lane. These ideas would need careful study and public input, but they could open the door to a more balanced and effective citywide transportation plan.

You’ve said you want "multi-story housing along every major transit corridor" and that you want to "preserve character and calm of our single-family neighborhoods".  Do you believe that apartment-dwellers deserve to live only in undesirable areas?  What will you do to make sure all Saint Paul residents can live in a quality neighborhood?

  • Apartment dwellers deserve the same quality of environment as St. Paul homeowners. With modern transportation options, we can reduce pollution over time for everyone whether they live near a transit corridor or not. My transit and housing plan focuses on improving convenience for all residents, recognizing that people at different stages of life have different transportation needs.

  • I loved living in multi-story housing when I was younger and I plan to move into multi-story housing when I am retired. Raising kids in a single-family home was wonderful, but I do wish I’d taken more advantage of gardening with them. Oh well, water under the bridge! Hopefully, they’ll do better when they have their own kids. My point wasn’t about class, it’s really about convenience. I should have explained that better. Thank you for pointing it out, I appreciate it.

How will you really work with state and federal partners to provide stability and opportunity in housing for Saint Paul residents?

  • Building more housing alone will not fix our distorted housing market. For decades, government policies have failed to support homeownership growth, leaving younger families locked out and retirees without convenient downsizing options. To truly unstick the system, we need the federal government to act wisely to use subsidies constructively and support local efforts that expand homeownership opportunities.

  • As mayor, I will clearly outline how our city can do things differently and collaborate with federal leaders to push for real policy change. But I can’t do it alone. Our federal government takes far more from St. Paul residents in taxes than the city ever does so residents must also speak up and demand better. I will provide the data, the analysis, and the plan; together, we can make these reforms a reality.

What are your thoughts on a land value tax to save us from rising property taxes?

  • I like the idea in principle, but I would only commit to advocating for it once any organization presents a plan that clearly shows its impact on residents, businesses, and industries in our city. I am very open to change, but any change must ultimately benefit the long-term health of our city.

There aren’t a lot of big “levers” a mayor can actually pull to reduce cost of living for their residents, but they do have bunch of small “levers” they can pull.  The city could enable households to reduce their number of vehicles by creating a safer transit network, neighborhood amenities, and bike & pedestrian infrastructure.  The city could also create a competitive municipal ISP and implement better snow-removal services.
What levers will you pull as mayor to reduce cost of living without sacrificing important services and quality of life?

  • Let me break it down into three parts:
     

  •  1. Transit to reduce cost
    2. How to reduce property taxes
    3. What levers a mayor can actually pull

  • 1. I completely agree that a well-designed transit network (not just isolated routes) is essential for convenience, environmental sustainability, and affordability. Please note I said “network.” Saint Paul doesn’t have a real one yet, and building it will take at least 10 to 20 years to fully implement. In the meantime, we should plan ahead and think creatively so we’re shovel-ready when opportunities arise.

  • 2. Please see my previous answers for how we can improve services while lowering taxes.

  • 3. What a mayor can truly do:
    As mayor, I’ll start by listening to residents and collecting reliable data on city performance. When issues involve other government agencies, I’ll collaborate by sharing our data and residents’ input. Where the city itself can improve, I’ll work directly with our departments to fix inefficiencies.

  • But most importantly, I will make data transparent so that residents can advocate for themselves. Every government agency ultimately answers to an elected official and informed residents can make real change by voting. Yes, the mayor has limited power, but since it is an executive position, I will work with our team to generate relevant data for our residents. As your mayor, I’ll make sure you have the solid data, clear analysis, and actionable plans you need to hold all levels of government accountable. That is the power of a good local government.

Saint Paul’s downtown and lowertown district have seen steady decline for decades.  Crime rose during the pandemic, and has continued to be an issue.  Storefronts and entire buildings sit vacant or are occupied only briefly from year to year.
Basically, how do you plan to revitalize Downtown Saint Paul?

  • My Plan to Revitalize Downtown without Subsidies

  • Reassess our downtown real estate.
    Let’s take a hard look at how much we’ve overbuilt commercially. For 30 years, we’ve been paying for empty space because the city never brought enough businesses to fill it. It’s time to decide which buildings are truly worth saving and which buildings should be demolished so that we can build new residential buildings.

  • Make St. Paul safe and compassionate.
    We must learn how to help people rebuild their lives: rehabilitate those who’ve made mistakes and reintegrate our homeless population into society through jobs, good social support, and stable housing. A city has to be safe if we want to have businesses

  • Boost our small businesses.
    We already have 9,000 residents living downtown, yet most don’t shop downtown. Let’s change that by making it easier and more enjoyable for small businesses to thrive here.

  • Make downtown parking free (with limits).
    The city owns five parking ramps. Let’s make them free for short visits, two hours or less, to bring people back downtown without costing taxpayers another dime.

  • All of these steps can be done without new tax subsidies by using our existing assets smarter and focusing on long-term, organic growth.

Cycling along Summit avenue is not currently safe, and construction there will take place with or without elevated bike lanes.  Why do you support the SOS group and not a safer Summit Avenue?

  • Please see my full vision for Summit Ave in my previous answers.

  • I don’t completely agree with the SOS group that Summit Avenue is “untouchable,” nor do I agree with the idea that we should rush into a very expensive “Safer Summit” project without a comprehensive, citywide transit plan.

  • My intention isn’t to alienate either group: quite the opposite. I want our city to plan smartly and think long term, so that when we do invest, it’s part of a cohesive vision that makes Saint Paul safer, more affordable, and better connected for everyone.

We have no grocery store in Lowertown, and an indoor space at the farmers market just isn’t the same.  The downtown Walgreens appears to be failing as well.  How will you make Lowertown more attractive for retailers to open stores?

  • You already implied the solution. Let’s think about why Walgreens wants to leave. Whether it’s real or perceived safety, businesses will always vote with their feet. My plan is simple: restore safety, both downtown and in the Midway, so existing businesses feel confident to stay and new ones are encouraged to return. 

  • Please see my previous answers for a more detailed plan for downtown St Paul revitalization.

Who do you plan on appointing as city attorney, and how will you curb nepotism while ensuring stability for city employees?

  • That’s an excellent question. I don’t yet know whom I will appoint, because I want to understand each department’s actual performance before making decisions. What I do know is this: I’ve been puzzled by our City Attorney’s Office budget. It has grown much faster than almost any other department, and when I compared it with similar cities, St. Paul’s attorney budget stands out as significantly higher. I want to know why. Of course, it’s hard to see the full picture without speaking directly with past and current employees, but I’ll keep an open mind and let data, not politics, guide the answer.

  • I fell in love with America because of its freedom. Freedom allows  transparency. Let me share a story about my father.
    Here is the longer version: https://youtu.be/0JCq9zjq7qE  Quiet Strength, Lasting Change: My Vision for St. Paul.
    Here is a one minute version: https://youtu.be/U7EbjraiuAI The team I plan to build:  A Heart, A Brain and Courage.
    That’s why I’ll ensure transparency in every appointment and decision, so that nepotism and favoritism have no place in our city government.

Are you planning to hire someone to pull funding from public schools and send it to charters?

  • Not at all! All of us care deeply about our children and worry about the future of the next generation. We all want to support our teachers. They are the operators of our education system, and we trust that they bring both skill and genuine care to their work.

  • Ultimately, this ties back to what I’ve said in my previous answers.

  • When a system fails, who should take responsibility, the workers or the administrators? As mayor, I will take full responsibility for any failure under my watch. I won’t throw people under the bus to escape accountability.

  • Our schools also need accountability. The real question is: who should be held responsible? That responsibility should rest with our school board members and school administrators.

  • Saint Paul has one District administrator in an office at SPPS headquarters for every 288 students, compared to Minneapolis where one downtown administrator is employed for every 513 students, or Madison, WI, where one administrator covers 1803 students. Same if we look at headquarters administrator to teacher ratios. St Paul has one administrator per 27 teachers, compared to Minneapolis where an administrator covers 59 teachers and Madison where one administrator  can manage 146 teachers.  It is true that Saint Paul has done a good job of closing the achievement gap, but is that really because there are so many more bosses downtown, or is it possible that taxpayer funds are being used very inefficiently?

It sounds like you’re planning to appoint a LOT of people, and they can’t work for free.  Isn’t that a lot of government bloat?

  • St. Paul has 12 city departments and several related agencies. One of the most important responsibilities of a good mayor is to appoint highly qualified leaders to run them. Unless a department faces deep cultural or performance issues, I do not plan to bring in outsiders. Instead, I will either retain existing department heads or promote capable people from within.

  • I will have a budget director who works closely with me, and a deputy mayor. I don’t plan to build a large administrative team. I value simplicity, direct communication, and clear accountability. A streamlined structure ensures that information flows efficiently and decisions are made without confusion.

Housing First seems like sound policy.  Expecting people experiencing homelessness to overcome substance abuse without stable housing seems like a cruel position to take.  HUD has enacted a successful Housing First model, and without it, we’ll likely see a spike in homelessness rates.
You appear to be attacking Housing First policy without clear knowledge of the program’s history and context.  It has achieved broad bi-partisan support over decades, and it works even better paired with “step-up” programs that particularly help curb substance-abuse.
It’s easy to identify a program that’s struggling. What tangible solutions do you propose?

  • It is good that you mentioned the Housing First model. This approach was introduced nearly 30 years ago based on the belief that housing is a basic right. The model emphasizes:

  • No preconditions for sobriety or psychiatric treatment.

  • Self-determination, allowing tenants to define their own goals.

  • Comprehensive community teams—social workers, nurses, psychiatrists, and vocational and substance-abuse counselors available 24/7.

  • Minimal participation requirements: tenants contribute 30% of their supplemental income and meet with staff at least twice a month.

  • In 2004, the first major study with proper control groups found that, after two years, participants in Housing First had significantly lower rates of homelessness. However, there were no significant improvements in psychiatric symptoms compared with the control group. In 2020, a review paper (Am J Public Health, 110(9):1376–1377) analyzed four additional controlled studies and reached the same conclusion: Housing First succeeds in housing stability, but not necessarily in improving mental health outcomes.

  • Looking at local data, we see a similar concern. For example, at Kimble Court, during 2000–2010 (while Wilder Foundation managed the site), there were 408 emergency calls. From 2011–2021, after management changes, that number rose to 1,630 calls. This pattern suggests that housing alone does not automatically stabilize communities.

  • There are alternative approaches showing promise. For instance, a program reviewed by the Manhattan Institute demonstrated positive results by integrating housing with employment and community engagement opportunities (https://manhattan.institute/article/homeless-but-able-and-willing-to-work).

  • After studying these models carefully, my conclusion is that lasting progress requires a three-legged stool, housing, work, and community, working together. Housing alone or work alone is not enough. People thrive when they have a stable home, a purpose through work, and a supportive community network.

What is your stance on the LGBTQ community and its safety?
Will you take steps to protect them and others at risk from the federal administration?

  • I love our communities because each one is connected by unique interests that make our city diverse and vibrant. Yet, just like our immigrant community, our LGBTQ community is also under attack. It’s truly mind-boggling that our federal government would interfere with people’s personal freedoms instead of focusing on real issues, like affordability and housing. What exactly are they trying to achieve? Our residents deserve solutions, not distractions. As mayor, I will stand up to the federal government when necessary and be your advocate, while focusing on solving real, local problems right here in Saint Paul. Please also see my previous answers for how I will defend our immigrant community. 

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