SPPS SCHOOL BOARD DIRECTOR CARLO FRANCO TO RUN FOR MN SENATE DISTRICT 65 FOLLOWING SEN. PAPPAS DECISION TO NOT RUN IN 2026

For Immediate Release
November 6, 2025

St. Paul, Minnesota) - Today St. Paul Public School Director Carlo Franco announced his run for Minnesota State Senate for District 65 following the announcement that current Senator Sandy Pappas will not be seeking re-election. Senator Pappas has served in the State Senate since 1991. Director Franco, born and raised on the West Side of Saint Paul, will seek the DFL endorsement at this upcoming 2026 convention.

In a statement Franco shared: “As a life-long public servant deeply rooted in the communities of District 65, I am committed and determined to fight for our families and working people. In a time when our federal government is being dismantled by extremists and billionaires, our community can count on me to fight to make our lives more affordable and safer with policies that center our people.” Franco launched his campaign with endorsements from both Minnesota State House of Representatives for District 65: Samakab Hussein and Maria Isa Perez-Vega.

Reps Hussein and Perez Vega stated: “Carlo’s work and experiences define what a public servant is and what our community deserves in leaders. We have worked with him for years in the community and during his time as a School Board Director. We look forward to serving with him in true partnership when he is senator.”

Director Franco is a proud Mexican-American who shares a deep love and appreciation for the city and the vibrant communities that each neighborhood offers. Franco has led state campaign outreach initiatives as President of the Movimiento Latino DFL Caucus delivering over 20,000 votes to statewide offices in the 2022 elections that championed historic wins to give the Minnesota DFL Miracle Trifecta.

Franco was elected to a city-wide seat on the Saint Paul School Board in 2023 endorsed by the DFL, currently serving as the Treasurer for the Board of Education. He currently works for the City of Saint Paul as a Program Coordinator for the Right Track Youth Employment and Training Program in addition to serving on several local non-profit boards. Previously, he has served as a program director for the Saint Paul Parks and Recreation department and a Restorative Practices coordinator at Humboldt High School. Franco is a proud graduate of St. Paul Public School’s Humboldt High School in Saint Paul’s West Side community. He is a first generation college graduate earning a B.A. from the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities in Child Psychology and Leadership. He is running to prioritize fully funding Public Education; Workforce Development; Thriving Neighborhoods and Community Safety; High quality out of school time programming; Livable Wages and Union Protections. Affordable Housing and Economic Development while fighting for everyday Minnesotans.

Franco has garnered early endorsements from Senator Clare Oumou Verbeten (MN Senate 66), St Paul City Councilwoman Cheniqua Johnson, St. Paul Ramsey County Commissioner Garrison McMurtry and Angelita Rosales (West St. Paul Park and Recreation Advisory Committee) with his campaign officially chaired by West Side community member and former SEIU Local 26 President Javier Morillo.

For more information please contact: carlo@carlofrancoformnsenate.com