By Dr. SK Lo
In a landmark moment for Minnesota and the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community, Kaohly Her has been elected as the first Hmong American and first woman mayor of St. Paul, defeating incumbent Melvin Carter in a closely contested ranked-choice election. Her’s victory is not only a political milestone but a deeply personal triumph for many in the Southeast Asian diaspora who have long sought representation in the halls of power.
I had the privilege of meeting Ms. Her on two powerful occasions that underscored her commitment to justice and community. The first was at the MN8 press conference, where she spoke with conviction as a state representative against ICE’s deportation of Southeast Asian residents—many of whom had served sentences for crimes committed as minors and had since been rehabilitated. Her words were a rallying cry for compassion and reform: “We must recognize the humanity of these individuals and the communities they belong to. Justice must include redemption.”
The second encounter was at the Karen Community Annual Gala, where she made her first public appearance as mayor-elect. Her presence at the event was a meaningful gesture of solidarity with one of the lesser-known Southeast Asian ethnic groups. It was heartening to see her embrace the diversity within our AAPI communities and uplift voices that are often overlooked.
Kaohly Her born in 1973 in Laos. Her father worked for the U.S. consulate and her grandfather fought alongside the U.S. Army and CIA in the Laotian Civial War. She immigrated to the U.S. as a Hmong refugee at age four and grew up in Appleton WI. She attended the University of Wisconsin, Madison, graduating with a Bachelor of Business Administration; the University of St. Thomas, studying education leadership; and Northeastern University, graduating with a Master of Business Administration in international management.
Capturing a moment of pride and unity with Dr. SK Lo (center) and Mayor-Elect Kaohly Her (right) at the Karen Community Annual Gala
Her’s mayoral campaign was a testament to grassroots organizing and voter engagement. Despite entering the race just three months before Election Day, she galvanized support through relentless door-knocking and a message that resonated with residents seeking change. While ranked-choice voting played a pivotal role in her win, it has sparked debate about its fairness and accessibility. Nonetheless, Her’s election demonstrates the power of inclusive politics and the importance of representation.
As we celebrate this historic achievement, let us also reflect on the journey that brought us here, from refugee resettlement to civic leadership. Kaohly Her’s rise is a beacon of hope for future generations of AAPI leaders.
