Kaohly Her will be sworn in as St. Paul’s newest mayor on Friday.
Her, who previously worked as a policy director at St. Paul City Hall, is preparing for her new role with optimism and an understanding of the challenges ahead. “I think it’s probably not going to hit me until I’m in the office” said Her about her upcoming inauguration.
Her believes this is an ideal time for the city’s growth. “I think there’s never been a better time in our city’s history than right now to invest in it and watch it grow” she said. However, she acknowledges the perception that the city is not open for business as a challenge.
Her’s priorities include boosting the economy and increasing affordable housing. “We have to figure out how we’re going to create a vibrant economy that helps support the ability for us to alleviate taxes for individuals” she said.
Her attributes the desire for change at city hall to evolving dynamics over the past eight years. She plans to focus on community empowerment rather than confronting federal government actions directly. “The truth is our job is to facilitate the power of the people who are mostly impacted and so I see that as the fight that is before us” Her said.
Her will take the oath at O’Shaughnessy Auditorium at St. Catherine University.