Thao’s St. Paul City Council seat now vacant, interviews to begin Wednesday
Dai Thao, St. Paul City Council Member and Representative of the First Ward. Credit: City of St. Paul
Nearly two dozen applications were submitted for a vacant St. Paul City Council seat.
According to city officials, 23 total applications came in for the seat vacated by the now former councilor Dai Thao, with only 20 being eligible for the seat.
As previously reported by 5 EYEWITNESS NEWS, Thao announced he was leaving the council in order to take a position that would lead a faith-based organization in Sarasota, Florida. His seat officially became vacant on Monday.
Applications for Thao’s seat began being accepted last month and had to be submitted by 4:30 p.m. Friday, July 22.
According to the city, 22 applications were received by the deadline and one application came in after the deadline.
Officials add that two of the applicants live outside Ward 1, which includes the neighborhoods of Thomas-Dale (Frogtown) and North End, Lexington-Hamline and Snelling-Hamline communities, as well as Summit-University district councils/neighborhoods and part of the Union Park District Council.
Council members will interview the seven finalists Wednesday starting at 9 a.m. and plan to vote on a resolution appointing the interim council member on Wednesday, Aug. 10.
Whoever is selected to fill Thao’s position will serve until the end of Thao’s elected term, which runs through December of 2023.