Why are you running for mayor?

“In my eight years leading this city, we have faced one unprecedented challenge after the next — from COVID-19, to the murder of George Floyd, to civil unrest, a rock slide, a cyberattack, and now new Trump-era uncertainty. Each crisis tested our resolve, but through it all we’ve not only learned how to better support each other in tough times — but how to come out of those times stronger.

“We’ve reduced violent crime through our nationally recognized Community-First Public Safety model, which centers prevention, partnership, and care. We’ve invested in mental health responders, youth outreach workers, and neighborhood safety teams — and the results are clear: Saint Paul is safer today because of this work. At the same time, we’ve built real momentum across every corner of our city. We’ve made historic investments in families and neighborhoods — raising the minimum wage, eliminating library late fines, and making youth sports free.

“We launched CollegeBound Saint Paul, giving every newborn a college savings account, and created one of the first city-led guaranteed income pilots in the nation. We’ve built more affordable housing than ever before, launched new renter protections, and forgiven medical debt owed by low-income residents. We’ve doubled our pace to rebuild arterial streets in our city, we’re improving our parks faster than ever, and we’ve set about the enormous task of replacing lead water lines across our city — at no cost to families.

“We’ve come a long way — and we’re not done. That’s why I’m running for re-election: because I believe in this moment, and I believe that there’s so much more we can build — together. We’re set up well for this next phase. That means making our public spaces more accessible, helping people get connected to care, and contributing to hold accountable those who choose to break our social contract. It means seizing our opportunities to grow — cutting red tape, attracting new investments, and making sure the world knows what we know: Saint Paul is one of the best places anywhere to build a family, a business, and a home. Together, we’ve built real momentum — and I’m ready to keep it going alongside you.”

As mayor, how will you advocate for immigrants and communities of color?

“As mayor, I have championed Saint Paul’s identity as a welcoming and inclusive city, prioritizing policies that uplift immigrants and communities of color. I have advanced equity-driven initiatives, which invest directly in families, and supported affordable housing, workforce development, and small business growth in culturally diverse neighborhoods. Under my leadership, Saint Paul has strengthened language access, promoted sanctuary policies to ensure residents feel safe seeking services, and invested in community partnerships to close racial disparities.

“My administration emphasizes representation, regularly engaging immigrant and BIPOC leaders to guide decision-making, while celebrating cultural diversity as a central strength of our city’s future.”

How can the city revive downtown, which is home to several vacant offices?

“We are hard at work bringing downtown back to life. We are doing it by converting vacant buildings into housing, launching new festivals and events, and working with small businesses to help them grow. Today, Saint Paul is hosting more major events than ever before — from the Yacht Club music festival to the World Juniors hockey tournament — while attracting new development interest from national investors. Now it’s time to accelerate that growth — and make our downtown a place that generates wealth for our communities, while being a neighborhood people are proud to call home.”

How can the city best prevent another cyberattack?

“Our response to the recent cyberattack demonstrates the resilience of our city staff and their absolute commitment to our public safety. Thanks to swift action from staff, close coordination with state and federal law enforcement resources, and rapid support from the Minnesota National Guard’s Cyber Protection Team, we contained the threat, safeguarded critical systems, restored essential services quickly, and ensured that city employees made payroll. This response reflects not only our city’s preparation, but also the strength of the state and federal partnerships that protect our residents.

“Looking forward, we are investing in stronger cyber defenses, from system upgrades to staff training. However, cybersecurity is not just a government issue, it’s a shared responsibility. Every municipality, business, and individual has a role to play in safeguarding their data and staying vigilant against threats that are increasingly sophisticated and widespread. By working together to adopt best practices and invest in prevention, we can make [sure] we are all resilient in the face of these increasing threats.”

The corridor in Midway starting at Snelling Ave and University Ave has lost or is losing several businesses. What should the mayor do to revive this corridor, which is home to many communities of color?

“To revitalize the Snelling and University Midway corridor we have a comprehensive strategy that combines public safety and maintenance improvements with strong economic and community investments. This includes cleaning up and activating vacant spaces, strengthening code enforcement, and improving lighting, sidewalks, and transit connections to create a safer, more inviting environment.

“We need to continue getting creative about partnering with neighborhood organizations and cultural leaders to host events, add public art, and shape development plans to ensure the corridor uplifts its diverse communities. By reducing vacancies, attracting businesses, and increasing foot traffic, while leveraging city, state, and private resources, this area of our city can be a vibrant, inclusive community for residents.”

Do you support the city’s sanctuary policy, and should it be expanded?

“I absolutely support our city ordinance that limits city employees from asking about immigration status and prohibits use of city resources to assist with enforcement actions. I have proudly joined lawsuits challenging attempts by the Trump administration to withhold federal funds as punishment for not cooperating with immigration enforcement requests. Under my leadership St. Paul will not be commandeered by federal immigration policy. St. Paul has never made immigration status a condition for accessing city services and it is my absolute promise to you to keep it that way.”

How can the city make up for lost federal grants and revenue due to cuts from the Trump administration?

“In the immediate term, the city can strengthen partnerships with the State to secure targeted aid, particularly in housing, public safety, and workforce development where state funds can substitute for lost federal streams. The mayor can also pursue competitive state and philanthropic grants, while leveraging federal dollars that remain.

“Longer-term, Saint Paul needs to expand its tax base by encouraging mixed-use redevelopment in corridors like Midway, growing our housing stock, and attracting new businesses that generate property and sales tax revenues. Together, these strategies help buffer against federal cuts while advancing a more resilient, inclusive city economy.”