James Lo on the news  

On Nov. 7, St. Paul voters will elect the seven members of the city council by ward. The ranked-choice ballot allows voters to rank their picks in order of preference. Ward 1 spans the neighborhoods of Thomas-Dale (Frogtown), Summit-University, the portion of the Union Park area that is east of Snelling Avenue, part of the North End and the Lexington-Hamline and Snelling-Hamline communities.

In this fall’s election, St. Paul Mayor Melvin Carter hopes voters will approve a sales tax increase that would generate nearly $1 billion for road repairs and parks improvements over the next two decades.

St. Paul DFLers endorsed three people running for City Council in a whirlwind weekend of conventions, one of which lasted for more than nine hours before delegates walked out.

An introduction to James Lo, father, educator, entrepreneur, and candidate for St. Paul City Council.

Interview with Hmong Community TV

Today, longtime resident, father, educator, entrepreneur, and community leader James Lo is announcing his candidacy for Saint Paul City Council Ward 1. After living almost 30 years in Ward 1, James has seen the transformation of the neighborhood, challenges and benefits that it has provided for families and residents. “I am running because I truly care for our city and have a passion to make it better for all families. Ward 1 represents the heart of Saint Paul because of its rich tapestry of people, history, geography and is the most racially and economically diverse ward. Our diversity is our strength. With uncertainties and challenges of affordable housing, public safety, city services, education and economic development, we need to work and rise together to best address these challenges. As your next City Council Member, I promise to listen to you, work with you, and fight for you to make sure our city policy works for all residents.” -James Lo

In the First Ward, which includes the Frogtown and Summit-University neighborhoods, an initial delegate vote was mostly split between three of five candidates: Anika Bowie, James Lo and Omar Syed. No candidate garnered the 60% of votes needed to earn the endorsement. “I am running because I truly care for our city and have a passion to make it better for all families. Ward 1 represents the heart of Saint Paul because of its rich tapestry of people, history, geography and is the most racially and economically diverse ward. Our diversity is our strength. With uncertainties and challenges of affordable housing, public safety, city services, education and economic development, we need to work and rise together to best address these challenges. As your next City Council Member, I promise to listen to you, work with you, and fight for you to make sure our city policy works for all residents.” -James Lo