Who's running for St. Paul City Council in 2023

The 2023 election is set to shake up the St. Paul City Council.

The big picture: Four out of seven seats on the council will be open this November. Departing members include Council President Amy Brendmoen.

Why it matters: The council approves the city's budget, which clocked in at $781.5 million for 2023, and weighs ordinances and resolutions that impact residents' lives.

What to watch: Battles for open seats — and the eventual council president election — could shift political dynamics on the council.

Zoom in: Here's a look at who is running so far, based on announcements tracked by Axios.

Ward 1:

Neighborhoods: Frogtown, Summit-University, North End, Union Park.

State of play: Open — Council Member Russel Balenger agreed not to run for re-election when he was appointed to fill the seat vacated by Council Member Dai Thao.

Candidates:

• Omar Syed
• Suz Woehrle
• Anika Bowie
• James Lo
• Yan Chen
• Travis Helkamp
• Lucky Tiger Jack Rosenbloom
• Jeff Zeitler

Ward 2:

Neighborhoods: West 7th Street, the West Side, Summit Hill, Payne-Phalen, Lowertown, and the Downtown business district.

State of play: Council Member Rebecca Noecker is running for re-election.

Challengers:

• Noval Noir
• Peter K. Butler
• Bill Hosko

Ward 3:

Neighborhoods: Highland Park and Macalester-Groveland.

State of play: Open — Council Member Chris Tolbert is not running for re-election.

Candidates:

• Saura Jost
• Isaac Russell
• Troy Barksdale
• Patty Hartmann

Ward 4:

Neighborhoods: Hamline-Midway, Saint Anthony Park, Union Park, and parts of Mac-Groveland and Como.

State of play: Council Member Mitra Jalali is running for re-election.

Challengers:

• Robert Bushard

Ward 5:

Neighborhoods: The North-Central ward includes Como, North End, and Payne-Phalen.

State of play: Open — Council President Amy Brendmoen is not running for re-election.

Candidates:

• Hwa Jeong Kim
• Pam Tollefson
• David Greenwood-Sanchez
• Nate Nins

Ward 6:

Neighborhoods: The East Side ward includes Payne/Phalen.

State of play: Council Member Nelsie Yang is running for re-election.

Challengers:

• Gary B. Unger

Ward 7:

Neighborhoods: The East Side ward includes Dayton's Bluff and Battle Creek.

State of play: Open — Council Member Jane Prince is not running for re-election.

Candidates:

• Pa Der Vang
• Cheniqua Johnson
• Alex Bourne
• Foua-Choua Khang
• Kartumu King
• Dino Guerin

Editor's note: This story will be updated with additional candidates and information as the election nears.