Saying that it’s time to “get rid of the cronyism and get rid of the intimidation,” Maida Coleman turned in 1,000 St. Louis citizen signatures today (Tues., Feb. 17) to make her eligible to run as an independent candidate for mayor.
While saying she would vote for Irene Smith in the March 3 Democratic primary, Coleman said she would run for mayor regardless of her opponent.
“I think I am the best-qualified candidate and he best person for St. Louis in these times of upheaval in the city,” she said.
Coleman will most likely take on Mayor Francis Slay Jr., in the April 7 election. Smith, Slay and Coleman are on the Democratic primary ballot.
Maida Coleman said, “the candidate with the same last name doesn’t seem to be doing any campaigning.”
“I think it was wise to remove myself from (the Democratic primary which) I consider a farce and a fiasco.”
Coleman said she still does not think the other Coleman’s entry to the primary is a coincidence.
“People believe it’s a set up. I believe it’s a set up. Who set it up? I don’t know,” she said.
Coleman said she had garnered about 4,000 signatures, far more from the 526 needed (2 percent of voters in the last mayoral election) to meet the requirement to run as an independent.
She said “absolutely,” when asked if she could run a strong campaign.
She said city residents want somebody in the mayor’s office “that is a consensus builder.”
As for bullying and tactics of intimidation, two charges often laid at Slay’s office threshold, Coleman said “we don’t need this in City Hall.”
“Those elected to lead should be helping everybody. They should not just pick and choose.”
Coleman had paid her filing fee and filled out paperwork to run last month, adding that she waited to file her signature until the deadline day, Feb. 17.
“We’ve only turned in 1,000 signatures because I’m not required to show who my supporters are,” she said.
