The matches are called “The Democratic Primary,” and some of the clashes will make the recent Spinks-Judah brawl resemble a Spring Tea Party.
The number of registered voters in St. Louis is low, but there is every possibility that the figures will look better the closer it gets to the March 8 Democratic Primary, especially in the African-American sectors of the city. One of the most explosive contests will be the mayoral race. The candidates challenging incumbent Mayor Francis Slay are 1st Ward Alderman Irene J. Smith, School Board Member Bill Haas and Green Party candidate Willie Marshall. Each one of them wants to be the next occupant of room 200 at St. Louis City Hall.
Darlene Green is also seeking another term as comptroller, and all of the odd number aldermanic wards are up for grabs. While a small number of the present aldermen are running unopposed, several newcomers are challenging incumbents. The March 8 Primary election is designed to limit a race to the fewest number of candidates for the April 5 general election.
An additional high-profile contest will be the 1st Ward aldermanic race. Former state Rep. Charles Quincy Troupe is pitted against former alderman Sharon Tyus and the Rev. Cleo Willis Sr. All of the candidates are well-known St. Louis activists; it should prove to be a hot-tempered battle.
Yet another volatile contest is shaping up in the 21st Ward, where incumbent Bennice Jones King is challenged by Melinda L. Long, Laura M. Keys and Phill Berry.
Candidates for the St. Louis Board of Education are also being screened and selected very carefully. Every school board election is important, and this year’s selection takes on even greater weight because of the recent turmoil that occurred between the local teachers union and some members of the current board. It is essential that each child in the school system is given the opportunity to learn and achieve to their maximum potential.
Voting is one of the easiest and most important things you can do to be involved in the political process. All you need to do is fill out a simple form, keep informed so you will know who you want to vote for and go to the polls on Election Day. But many African Americans in St. Louis City and County fail to carry out this simple process.
Potentially, much could be decided in the primary and general elections. Local residents who are unconcerned about the importance of voting might take a second look at some past St. Louis elections as reported in the St. Louis American and question if there are lessons to be learned.
In the March 17, 1977 edition, the big story was that 1ST District Congressman Bill Clay and John Bass announced their write-in candidacy for mayor and comptroller, respectively. Clay had backed A.J. Cervantes over James Conway for mayor and John Bass over Raymond Percich for comptroller. It was one of the most divisive measures in local politics, and it nearly split the local Democratic Party. Both Clay and Bass lost and the congressman attributed a low voter turnout in the black community for the outcome.
The Jan. 5-11, 1989 edition reported that Mayoral Candidate Michael Roberts scored a victory stemming from a lawsuit he filed in March 1987 against the St. Louis Board of Election Commissioners. Roberts alleged that 3,000 votes cast primarily in black wards were not counted. Roberts ran and lost the seat to Tom Villa by 170 votes.
The February 2-8, 1989 edition alleged that fraud charges brought against Mike Roberts were politically motivated. Roberts challenged incumbent Mayor Vincent C. Schoemehl in the March 1989 primary. The same issue of the newspaper featured a story announcing that Ron Gregory and Clifford Wilson pulled out of their respective races for mayor and comptroller in an effort to increase the possibility of placing an African American in office. Gregory was in the mayoral race along with Mike Roberts and Wilson was seeking the office of the comptroller along with Virvus Jones.
The January 23-29, 1997 edition of the American gave an account of the Harmon-Bosley campaign that again nearly tore the city apart. Police Chief Clarence Harmon and Bill Hass challenged Bosley in a bitter, highly emotional contest. Freeman Bosley was elected mayor in 1993, defeating several opponents in the Democratic primary. He was defeated in his 1997 bid for re-election by Clarence Harmon. Seasoned political observers were surprised by the overly negative atmosphere of the contest.
Many people have a tendency to blow off primaries because they think they are unimportant. Nothing could be further from the truth. Political analysts say that the primary elections of 2005 will be very close. Every vote will count and the candidates are already geared up for the challenges.
It always is important to vote in spring primary elections, but this year it is doubly important for St. Louis city residents.
I can be reached by fax at 837-3369 or by e-mail at: berhay@swbell.net.