Mayorship
Coleman ran in the 2005 St. Paul mayoral election, challenging the DFL incumbent, Randy Kelly. Kelly had alienated supporters with his endorsement of George W. Bush in the 2004 presidential election, and national Democratic figures endorsed Coleman. Wesley Clark, John Kerry, and Bill Richardson visited St. Paul to campaign for Coleman, while Hillary Clinton and John Edwards actively supported him. Coleman defeated Kelly in the general election, 69% to 31%.
Shortly after taking office, Coleman signed a city ordinance banning tobacco smoking in all bars and restaurants within city limits. The ban had long been opposed by former mayor Kelly.
Coleman is a member of the Mayors Against Illegal Guns Coalition, an organization formed in 2006 and co-chaired by New York City mayor Michael Bloomberg and Boston mayor Thomas Menino.
Coleman worked with Minneapolis mayor R. T. Rybak in bids to host a national party convention. St. Paul was selected as the site of the 2008 Republican National Convention.
In 2009, Coleman was elected to a second term. He again received 69% of the general election vote. Eva Ng received 31%.
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