State Rep. Kaohly Her pulled off a stunning upset in the St. Paul mayor's race, ousting her former boss — two-term incumbent Melvin Carter — just three months after launching her challenge.

Why it matters: The 52-year-old Her, a Laos-born child of refugees, will be the first woman and first Hmong American to serve as mayor of St. Paul.

By the numbers: In St. Paul's ranked-choice election system, Carter received the most first-choice votes, but Her overtook Carter after votes from three lower-finishing candidates were reallocated.

• Her received 47.8% of the vote to Carter's 45%.

What they're saying: "Nobody believed in us. No one had the political courage to stand up … because they were afraid of not being able to win," Her told Axios early this morning.

The big picture: Her's late entry into the race offered a high-profile alternative to St. Paul voters fed up with lagging development, a limping downtown and rising property taxes.

• Her argued Carter's administration itself was mired in the same malaise, growing disengaged from constituents, businesses and the state Legislature.

Friction point: "Behind closed doors," Her argued in an Oct. 15 debate, "people are not saying what is really happening — because they are saying that our city is not doing well … City Hall is not responsive."

The other side: Carter argued his administration had been deeply involved in responding to the city's challenges.

• He shepherded a sales tax increase that will fund $1 billion in public works projects, oversaw the launch of several major redevelopments and rolled out a new online portal to streamline permitting.

Follow the money: Her raised $154,000 in just under three months, effectively erasing Carter's campaign finance advantage. The two candidates entered the campaign's final weeks with equivalent war chests.

What we're watching: What comes next for Carter, the city's first African American mayor, who was widely viewed as a future contender for higher office.

What's next: Her will serve a three-year term.

How Her got here

Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey received the most first-choice votes in yesterday's election, but a decisive result won't come until after second- and third-choice votes are counted later today.

• Frey received 42% of first-choice votes. State Sen. Omar Fateh received 31%; DeWayne Davis, 13%; and Jazz Hampton, 10%.

The big picture: A half-million-dollar effort by Frey's allies to regain control of the Minneapolis City Council appears to have fallen short — though Frey's critics will no longer wield a veto-proof majority.

Why it matters: For two years, the council's left wing frequently defied Frey's veto. They re-wrote his budget. They overrode his plan for George Floyd Square. They forced the state to pass a new Uber/Lyft law.

• If Frey holds on, he'll have more leverage against this council coalition.

What they're saying: "It looks damn good for us. We are well in the lead," Frey told supporters at an election night party.

Reality check: "This race is too close to call," Fateh told a packed hotel ballroom, saying "every vote must be counted and reallocated."

By the numbers: Turnout was high. While final, official figures aren't yet available, early returns suggest turnout roughly equalled — and may have even surpassed — the record-setting 2021 city elections.

Follow the money: Many of the same business groups, developers and landlord interests that backed Frey also spent more than $580,000 trying to swing five council races.

• In those races, at least three candidates critical of Frey won anyway.

Yes, but: Ward 7 voters ousted Katie Cashman in favor of the more-moderate Elizabeth Shaffer, and Frey PAC favorite Pearll Warren is leading in Ward 5.

More winners in more wards

🏛️ Democrats will retain a one-vote majority in the State Senate following a pair of special elections.

• DFL state Rep. Amanda Hemmingsen-Jaeger won her bid to fill the Woodbury-area district left open by Sen. Nicole Mitchell's resignation.
• Republican Michael Holstron will succeed GOP Sen. Bruce Anderson, who died this summer, in a Wright County-based seat.

🍎 The Anoka-Hennepin School Board will remain politically divided after voters reelected two incumbents backed by teachers' unions and one member of the conservative bloc, Sahan Journal reports.

• Local and national groups spent heavily on the races in the state's largest school district.

💰 St. Paul voters approved a charter amendment that will greatly expand the city's ability to hand out punitive fines for breaking municipal codes.

🏫 Voters in many metro school districts, including St. Paul, agreed to raise property taxes to generate more cash for schools.

• Other districts that passed such measures included Hopkins, Lakeville, Roseville, Rosemount-Apple Valley-Eagan and Shakopee.
• A school funding question in the North St. Paul-Maplewood-Oakdale district failed.

Go deeper: Full results via the Star Tribune

🥣 More than 440,000 Minnesotans' SNAP benefits remain in limbo after President Trump announced he would defy court orders and withhold them until after the federal government shutdown ends. (Axios)

• The shutdown is now the longest in history.

🔎 A new report from the independent Legislative Auditor identified a "significant number" of issues related to how Gov. Tim Walz's state office handles receipts, inventory, payroll and expenses. (Fox9)

• Walz's office said it's already addressed most of the issues and noted that the auditor did "not find any financial misuse or malfeasance."

🏠 A St. Paul home health care company will shut down and lay off all 406 employees by March. (Star Tribune)

🚌 Walz appointed Robin Hutcheson, a former U.S. Department of Transportation official and Minneapolis public works director, as the next Metropolitan Council chair. (MPR News)

🎭 The new "Purple Rain" musical celebrates its official world premiere tonight, after two weeks of preview performances. (Background via Axios)

🍷 Edina's Salut Bar Américain will close permanently at year's end. (Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal)

🏙️ Check out what's happening around the city.

Così Fan Tutte at Ordway Music Theater Nov 1-9: Mozart's Così fan tutte follows two couples whose test of love spirals into temptation, chaos, and wit. An honest look at fidelity, performance, and the unpredictable nature of the heart. Experience Mozart's beloved classic, where YOU choose the ending. Two performances left.

Early Childhood Open House at City of Lakes Waldorf School Nov 8: Discover a screen-free, nature-based education. Explore beautiful classrooms, meet dedicated teachers, and enjoy a cozy morning of bread-making, beeswax crafting, and a puppet show. RSVP today.

The Notebook at Ordway Center for the Performing Arts Nov 18-30: Based on the best-selling novel that inspired the iconic film, The Notebook tells the story of Allie and Noah, both from different worlds, who share a lifetime of love despite the forces that threaten to pull them apart. The Notebook is a deeply moving portrait of the enduring power of love, and features music by singer-songwriter Ingrid Michaelson and a book by TV's Bekah Brunstetter ("This Is Us").

Hosting an event? Email [email protected].

Kyle here. All campaign volunteers, election workers, and ink-stained wretches know this much is true:

• Pizza always tastes better on Election Night.

Before settling in to watch returns, I stopped by Good Times in Kingfield to double-check.

• Verdict: 👍👍