Melvin Carter, who holds a bachelor’s degree in business
administration from the Florida A&M University School of Business and
Industry, received more than 50 percent of the votes in a crowded field of ten
candidates.
Carter is the executive director of the Minnesota Children’s
Cabinet, serving as an advisor to Gov. Mark Dayton. Dayton joined U.S. Sen.
Al Franken and Congressman Keith Ellison in endorsing Carter’s campaign to become
mayor.
Prior to being hired to his current position as a state official, Carter was a Saint Paul City Council member from 2008 to 2013.
According to his campaign website, “Melvin’s passion for
civic engagement began in 2000, when as a college student his brother-in-law
was turned away from casting an all-important Presidential election ballot in a
Florida polling precinct. After arguing for his brother-in-law’s right to vote
and protesting that year’s historic acts of disenfranchisement in the Florida
State Capitol, Melvin found himself on a path toward public service.”
At FAMU, Carter was also a member of the Beta Nu Chapter of
Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.
He and his wife, Sakeena, have five children.