Former St. Paul Mayor Melvin Carter on leaving City Hall and what's next

MPR News with Angela Davis · Feb 17, 2026 · 47m

MPR News host Angela Davis talks with former St. Paul Mayor Melvin Carter about his eight years in City Hall, the lessons he’s learned and what’s next.

Guest:

Melvin Carter III served as mayor of St. Paul for eight years. Elected in 2017 and reelected in 2021, he was the city’s first African American mayor. Prior to his election as mayor, he served as St. Paul City Council member for Ward 1, representing the neighborhood he grew up in. He is the founding board chair of the St. Paul Promise Neighborhood and served as the director of the Minnesota Office of Early Learning. He has roots that go…