Dear neighbors,

I’m excited to share that I’m running to be our next Saint Paul City Council Member in Ward Four!

For those I haven’t had a chance to meet yet: I’m a Hamline-Midway resident, nonprofit leader, lawyer, and mom. I was born and raised in Saint Paul, and am a proud product of the Saint Paul Public Schools. I love this city. I truly don’t think there’s a better city in the country in which to grow up and build a life. Our local businesses, arts and cultural scene, civic participation, parks and tree-lined streets, public transportation and interconnectedness, and racial and economic diversity create a strong foundation from which to build a community where all people can truly thrive.

And yet, we know that too many in our community are not thriving. The legacies of racial and economic inequality, decades of disinvestment, and new challenges like climate change and a federal government that is hostile to our basic values means that life is too hard for too many in Saint Paul. Over the last month, I have been talking to trusted partners, community leaders, and neighbors throughout Ward Four to learn more about how they see both the challenges and the opportunities facing our community. What I’ve heard, over and over again, is two-fold. First, people are incredibly grateful to live in a city that is not going to cower in this moment, but continue to stand up for our values and make life better for people here in Saint Paul, regardless of what’s happening at the national level. Second, our neighbors recognize that the urgency of the present moment means we have no choice but to get things right here in our city. Ward Four wants a leader who is going to show up every day to get the work done, and who will pair big dreams with a relentless commitment to excellence when it comes to making our city run. 

Throughout my life, I have been guided by two foundational truths. The first is that, for too many people, the structures of our society don’t work. The second is that we have the ability to do something about it. It is for that reason that I am running for City Council. It’s our job, collectively, to build institutions—to build a government—capable of remedying the very real challenges people are facing in their daily lives. We need to show people, right here in Ward Four, that our government can make their lives a little bit easier—and make it easier for every member of our community to build the life they dream of.

That starts by doing the basics really, really well. We need to make sure that our streets are plowed; our parks and libraries are flourishing; there is abundant and affordable housing throughout our community for everybody from our children to our seniors; people can get where they need to go on public transportation, by bike, on foot, or by car; businesses are investing in our city and, critically, workers and unions are benefitting from that investment; and that our city is truly safe for every one of our neighbors. By using every tool at the city’s disposal, and working with anybody who’s willing to come to the table, I believe that we can build a Saint Paul where all people can truly thrive. 

I look forward to meeting you, earning your vote, and working with you to build this future for all of us here in Ward Four.

Sincerely,

Molly Coleman