Incumbent Mayor Melvin Carter III announced he would seek a second term as mayor on January 26, 2021.[5] During his first term, Mayor Carter presided over the unrest in the Twin Cities after the murder of George FloydinMinneapolis; making policing and public safety top of mind for voters in Saint Paul. Additionally, voters were concerned about issues like homelessness, a possible recession, and the ongoing Covid-19 Pandemic.[5]
Carter campaigned on achievements like an initiative to provide newborns with a college savings account,[6][5] a pilot program that distributed guaranteed income for some low-income families,[5] and rethinking public safety.[6] Despite entering the race unopposed, Carter was facing several opponents by the close of the filing deadline on August 10, 2021.[7]
In total, Carter faced seven challengers, including: Paul Langenfeld, vice president of the Board of Directors of Highland District Council[8] and founder of a non-profit that caters to people with disabilities;[9] Dino Guerin, former St. Paul District Fire Chief St. Paul City Councilman and Ramsey County commissioner;[7] Dora Jones-Robinson, the executive director of Mentoring Young Adults and founder of Guns Down St. Paul;[7] Miki Frost, father of five and founder of "Truce Center";[7] Scott Wergin, a contractor;[7] Bill Hosko, a downtown coffee shop proprietor art gallery owner and architectural illustrator;[7] and Abu Nayeem, a data analyst who had previously run for St. Paul City Council in 2019.[7]
Most of Carter's opponents supported lowering crime rates[7] and implementing better social systems in the city of St. Paul.[7]
Carter's opponents failed to match him in endorsements—the mayor won the Saint Paul Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party's endorsement on July 18, 2021,[10] as well as endorsements from Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and Lt. Governor Peggy Flannagan—but Paul Langenfeld was able to self-finance[7] his campaign to match Mayor Carter's.[7]
Dino Guerin, investigative assistant at the Ramsey County Sheriff's Department, former Ramsey County commissioner, former Saint Paul District Fire Chief, and former city councillor[7]
Bill Hosko, artist, cafe owner, and perennial candidate[11][3]
