Incumbent
6th Ward Alderwoman Kacie Starr Triplett smashed her
challenger in the municipal Democratic primary on Tuesday, 1,439
votes to 293 (or 83 to 17 percent).
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“mso-spacerun: yes;”> attacks, we got 83 percent of the vote,” Triplett told
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Clearly,
the victory reflected hard work – for her constituents since she
was first elected in 2007, and in her re-election ground
game.
“There are
few people who work as hard as Kacie,” said 21st Ward
Alderman Antonio French, who attended the victory party at SqWires
in Soulard.
“Her first
time on the board, it was obvious her work was appreciated by her
constituents. The people came out strong to show their support. She
is a bright star for our city’s future.”
Triplett
enjoyed strong support from her predecessor as 6th Ward
alderman, Lewis Reed, who was not opposed in the primary for
re-election as aldermanic president. Reed celebrated with more than
200 Triplett supporters at SqWires.
“Results
don’t lie, and the huge margin of victory is a testament to all of
the hard work and intelligence that has been a trademark of her
first term,” Reed told The
American.
“As a
constituent of hers, I hear nothing but positive things about her
and I am truly happy to have her serving another four
years representing the Sixth Ward.”
Triplett,
30, one of the youngest elected officials in St. Louis history,
took office in 2007 after Reed ran successfully for aldermanic
president. She created an undeniable impact on her ward in her
first term, said 4th Ward 4 Alderman Samuel
Moore.
“She is
one of the most progressive, energetic alderpersons in this
region,” Moore said. “If you check her record, she has done more
than 20 alderpersons. She is active and in touch with her people.
If you are not old and stubborn, you could learn a lot from
her.”
The 6th
Ward is one of only four wards in the city (out of 28) that gained
population between 2000 and 2010, according to 2010 Census data.
Only the 7th Ward, which encompasses a majority of the downtown
developments, gained a higher percentage of new residents in this
span.
Her
support for local businesses and legislative accomplishments in
holding owners of abandoned buildings accountable played a part in
this growth, Reed said.
Triplett
grew up in the 6th Ward and graduated from St. Elizabeth
Academy. She is a member of the Mount Zion Baptist Church in the
6th Ward and lives in the same neighborhood where spent her
childhood.
“I
consider it an honor and a blessing to represent the community I
grew up in,” Triplett said. “It is very important that we continue
to make the 6th Ward a desirable place to live and attract
businesses.”
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