Meet Kaohly Her: St. Paul’s New Mayor with a Proven Track Record
St. Paul Mayor-elect Kaohly Her will soon take the reins at City Hall, though she isn’t new to elected office. Before running for mayor, Her — who’s first name is pronounced “kuh-LEE” — spent nearly six years representing a St. Paul district in the Minnesota House of Representatives that includes the Union Park, Macalester-Groveland and Summit-University neighborhoods.
She first won the seat in 2018 after now-Sen. Erin Murphy, DFL-St. Paul, launched a campaign for governor. After one term in office, Her rose to the third-highest-ranking position in the Minnesota House DFL Caucus — majority whip. She has also served as deputy speaker pro tempore, who presides over House debate in the absence of the speaker.
Rep. Kaohly Vang Her, DFL-St. Paul, wipes away tears as she speaks against a bill removing undocumented adult Minnesotans from MinnesotaCare during debate in House chambers at the Minnesota State Capitol building on Monday, June 9, 2025. (John Autey / Pioneer Press)
A Leader with a Strong Work Ethic
Part of the campaign message that got Her elected mayor was her call for more focus on the basics of governing and improving “core city services.” Her’s reputation for organization and thoroughness as a lawmaker may help her achieve that goal, former colleagues said. Those who have worked with Her at the state Capitol describe St. Paul’s next mayor as a pragmatic lawmaker with a deep understanding of process and keen attention to detail.
“She’s extremely organized. She’s extremely thorough. She’s nuts and bolts, brass tacks, no detail left unturned,” said Rep. Dan Wolgamott, a St. Cloud DFLer who was elected to the Legislature the same year as Her. Wolgamott served on the Legislative Commission on Pensions and Retirement with Her, who chaired the panel before leaving the House this year.
A Proven Track Record of Collaboration
Rep. Tim O’Driscoll, R-Sartell, worked with Her when she was chair of the Legislative Commission on Pensions and this year as co-chairs of the House Commerce Committee. He praised his former colleague for her ability to compromise. “I think that the folks in St. Paul could benefit from that experience that she has in being able to … come to an equitable and workable solution,” the eight-term Republican lawmaker said.
Her’s experience on the Commerce committee, which covers a broad range of policy areas, including financial services, insurance, consumer protection, energy, and telecommunications, will also serve her well in her new role. Rich Ginsberg, a lobbyist with decades of experience at the Minnesota Capitol, noted that the Commerce committee is one of the more powerful committees in the Minnesota House, and that Her’s thoroughness and preparation made her a good lawmaker to approach with a well-crafted bill.
For more information on Kaohly Her’s legislative career and how it will shape her leadership of St. Paul, visit Here
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