Melvin Carter (politician)

Melvin Carter
Carter in 2018
55th Mayor of St. Paul
In office
January 2, 2018 – January 2, 2026
Preceded byChris Coleman
Succeeded byKaohly Her
Member of the Saint Paul City Council
from the 1st ward
In office
January 8, 2008 – July 5, 2013
Preceded byDebbie Montgomery
Succeeded byDai Thao
Personal details
BornMelvin Whitfield Carter III
(1979-01-08) January 8, 1979
PartyDemocratic (DFL)
SpouseSakeena Futrell
EducationFlorida A&M University (BS)
University of Minnesota (MPP)
WebsiteCampaign website

Melvin Whitfield Carter III (born January 8, 1979) is an American politician who was the 55th mayor of Saint Paul, Minnesota. Elected to his first term in 2017 and reelected in 2021, Carter was St. Paul's first African American mayor. His mayoralty ended on January 2, 2026. Carter supported raising the city's minimum wage to $15 per hour. He is one of 11 U.S. mayors who co-founded Mayors Organized for Reparations and Equity, a coalition of municipal leaders dedicated to starting pilot reparations programs in their cities.