Government and politics in Saint Paul, Minnesota

[6] The mayor's duties include preparing an annual budget, appointing heads to executive departments of the city and either signing or vetoing legislative ordinance passed by the city council.

[11] The city has had three mayors who were natives of Ireland, William Dawson, Christopher D. O'Brien, and Frank Doran.

Other Irish-American mayors of Saint Paul include: William Mahoney, William H. Fallon, John J. McDonough, Edward K. Delaney, John C. Daubney, Joseph E. Dillon, Thomas R. Byrne, Randy Kelly, and the current mayor, Chris Coleman.

Unlike the rest of Minnesota and Minneapolis, Saint Paul has always been a Democratic stronghold.

[12] The city's current mayor is Melvin Carter, a member of the Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party (DFL).

The city hosts the capitol building, designed by Saint Paul resident Cass Gilbert.

The Minnesota Governor's Residence, which is used for some state functions, is on Summit Avenue.

Saint Paul's Xcel Energy Center was the host of the 2008 Republican National Convention.