One of the advantages of being perceived as a venue for advocacy journalism is you do not have to try to disguise your preferences as do the mainstream media. We will not attempt to hide the fact that certain overriding concerns and deep loyalties have strongly influenced our endorsement decisions in many primary races that will be on the August 5 ballot. Though our initial source of support for several of these candidates is personal, we also are encouraged to see a new generation of young African Americans running energetic campaigns and preparing themselves for public service.
Former Comptroller Virvus Jones is family to this newspaper, and when his daughter Tishaura O. Jones filed for state representative (D-63, a Downtown/near South Side seat being vacated by term-limited Robin Wright-Jones), we were gratified that she has proven to be a feisty and capable campaigner. Moreover, we have heard nothing from outside sources that makes us seriously question the high opinion her father holds of her as a young, competent candidate. We endorse TISHAURA O. JONES FOR STATE REPRESENTATIVE, 63rd District.
We also hold in high personal regard the family of state Rep. Maria Chappelle-Nadal (D-72, mostly in University City) and are pleased about their daughter’s work in the state House and in her diverse district. She is a bold, intelligent, progressive legislator whom we expect to term-out in the House and move up to higher office. We endorse the re-election of MARIA CHAPPELLE-NADAL FOR STATE REPRESENTATIVE, 72nd District.
We also think highly of the family roots of Don Calloway. He is emerging as an energetic and intelligent mover willing to devote his legal training to public service via the badly wanting cause of progressive politics in Missouri as representative for the 71st District in North County, replacing the term-limited Esther Haywood. We endorse DON CALLOWAY FOR STATE REPRESENTATIVE, 71st District.
As for state Rep. Jamilah Nasheed (D-60, in North City), she worked and networked her way into the Legislature without the benefit of politically powerful family support. But she earned a strong family relationship with this newspaper because of her courageous opposition to Mayor Francis G. Slay, unlike most of her elected-official colleagues, in support of Fire Chief Sherman George. We endorse JAMILAH NASHEED FOR STATE REPRESENTATIVE, 60th District.
We also have deep loyalties at stake in the 5th Senatorial District race. We have known and admired state Rep. Robin Wright-Jones for a long time. As this newspaper has often pointed out in its political reporting, her voting record in the state House (D-63) has been perfectly progressive. Her opponent, state Rep. Rodney Hubbard (D-58, in North City), has voted with Republicans on a number of key issues, including school choice and removing voter-imposed campaign finance limits. However, a number of respected, seasoned African-American leaders – in particular, veteran U.S. Rep. Wm. Lacy Clay, who has shown significant and impressive leadership in the Barack Obama campaign in Missouri and License Collector Mike McMillan – have strongly appealed to us on Hubbard’s behalf. They argue that Hubbard is a young, energetic and ascendant black leader who will work hard on behalf of his constituents. They maintain that Hubbard’s proven willingness to cross the aisle to close a deal, which has been so valuable to Missouri Republicans, will be just as valuable to Missouri Democrats in a Legislature that is more evenly balanced between the two parties, as is likely to be the case in Missouri after November 4. Now that Lacy Clay, Virvus Jones, Mike McMillan, Lewis Reed, Cliff Franklin and other black leaders we respect have staked their credibility on Hubbard, we know they will expect us to hold their candidate up to even closer scrutiny. We trust, but will verify, as we endorse RODNEY HUBBARD FOR STATE SENATE, 5th Senatorial District.
On Friday we will offer endorsements for governor, lieutenant governor, attorney general and treasurer on stlamerican.com. These endorsements will also appear in the print edition of the American next Thursday, July 31.