“Hey, ya’ll,” a shaken Tishaura Jones said as she stepped up to deliver her concession speech on Tuesday night.
“Tonight didn’t go as we hoped. Our city has never had a Black mayor serve more than one term and I know many of you, like me, were looking to make history with me and a second term.”
“My opponent will inherit a city that is safer than it has been in decades.”
Mayor Tishaura Jones
Jones’ challenger Alderwoman Cara Spencer won 64% of just over 50,000 ballots. By 9 p.m., Jones officially conceded at the Omega Center on Goodfellow Blvd. Signs of sadness, frustration and even anger graced the faces of many in attendance.
“Together,” Jones continued, “we’ve accomplished so much.”
To thunderous applause she listed her many accomplishments as mayor and as a mayoral candidate.
“We worked as a community to reach out our hands and hearts to over 100,000 voters. We had conversations with tens of thousands of St. Louisans and earned thousands in contributions with an average amount of less than $200, all backed without the single help of any billionaires,” Jones said, referring to Spencer whose $1 million + campaign was heavily backed by wealthy developers.
“My opponent will inherit a city that is safer than it has been in decades,” Jones continued.
“They will inherit countless projects that I started. “It’s a city looking at billions in investments and hundreds of millions being spent as we speak to lift up every community in St. Louis.”
The mayor spoke of her administration’s more than $2 billion in new market tax credits, business development, revitalization and incentivized projects downtown, in north St. Louis and throughout the city.
Attendees shouted, “yes you did,” as Jones detailed programs she initiated, including those aimed at alleviating homelessness, bolstering job training and bringing financial access “to those of our city who have been left behind.”
Jones supporter Earl Bush, who walked in after the concession speech, described the future.
“Oh, it’s a downfall for the city,” Bush lamented.
“It’s a whole new start-over and that’s something we were trying to avoid. We just got this far. Tishaura was just finding out how things run here in the city, well, City Hall. I just hate we have to start all over again.”
Jones’ defeat marks the third time, in almost 40 years, a Black mayor has only served one term.
Charles Price, a county resident who supported Jones, said he’s worried about Spencer’s ability to move the city forward as President Trump and right-wing politicians are lobbing attacks against urban metropolitan areas.
“I think she’s woefully unprepared to realize that Trump is going to cut everything. I don’t think she has the ability to fight to preserve what funding the city gets from the federal government,” Price said.
“She’s been too friendly with a lot of right-leaning people who prioritize rural areas or the suburbs or where white people live. I would have rather had Mayor Jones fighting for the city because I know she loves the city.”
The St. Louis Development Corporation (SLDC) played a major role in the mayoral race. Late last year, Spencer resigned from the SLDC launching accusations of internal dysfunction, lack of transparency and “corruption” in how it dispersed funds from a $37 million North St. Louis grant program instituted by Jones.
Spencer has intimated that, if elected, she will fire Neal Richardson, president & CEO of the agency.
When asked about his and his agency’s future, Richardson replied somberly.
“I’ve lived in this city for almost 40 years, and I just want to see it move forward. I’m ready for an era where everyone has an opportunity to be successful,” he said.
“I want to see all areas of our city win, not just certain parts. I don’t want to see more of our Black kids left behind. That’s the biggest thing I’m afraid of…what will opportunity look like for young Black kids or Black leaders like myself?”
As far as SLDC’s future is concerned, Richardson believes the agency is in a good place. “We’ve shined a lot of light on SLDC and the power it has when it values people, not just developers. We’ve shown that economic development isn’t just about bricks and mortar; it’s about hearts and minds, too, and I hope it will be able to impact lives forever.”
As the night wound down, Jones’ supporters lined up in a long line, somewhat like a funeral procession. Some with handkerchiefs or tears in their eyes offered words of gratitude, appreciation, support and condolences.
Koran Bolden, motivational speaker and founder of Street Dreamz, was among those praising the mayor.
“Tishaura is the greatest mayor of all time. She has done phenomenal work for people of all races, all colors and all economic backgrounds. And the work continues,” she said.
Matifadza Hlatshwayo Davis, MD, MPH, FIDSA, who was appointed the city’s director of health by Jones, offered a sad but similar response.
“This one hurts on a different level,” Dr. Davis tearfully said, referring to Jones’ defeat. “But it tells us that the work must continue for the next four years. It must continue.”
Many in the room articulated or personified the marching orders Jones delivered when she ended her concession speech:
“You have one job. Don’t let them take us back and make damn sure they know who they serve.”
Sylvester Brown Jr. is the Deaconess Foundation Community Advocacy Fellow.
We’ll See What Happens With The Rams $ettlement Purse 👜
Yeah…That was part of the problem.
I am very glad that Mayor Jones, did lose her battle for Mayor, for her second term, because of what she did to me, had me abducted on March 5th-April 1st of 2025, because of what I know about Mac Properties, who in fact runs the state of Missouri, as well as the other wealthy rich white men here in St Louis City, I will not back off of anyone who supports and receive money to look the other way, that includes the North Patrol Division, and the rest of the precincts in St Louis, MO, I told my story and I have the paperwork to prove everything I have stated, the St Louis American newspaper is paid off not to write the truth, I have been blackballed by Mac Properties because I know that they belong to a somewhat of a Prejudice Organization called CHECKBASE, which is located in the Netherlands, their names were on the list of everyone who belongs to the organization in the Netherlands, I am dying from a virus that I caught at Branscome Apts on Pershing Ave, virus is called CYTOMEGALO VIRUS, there’s No Cure, 4 tenants died on my floor, which is the 6th floor, there is drug activity, prostitution, very dirty and filthy building, they are defrauding HUD and Medicare part C advantage, HUD is being paid off by Mac Properties Realty, I also have the paperwork to prove that Everlena Gandy or Nikkie was charging the tenants more rent than what we owed, Everlena Gandy, stated she is employed by the FBI and CIA, I have the proof of that, when she filed a false RESTRAINING Order on me, stating that I sexual assaulted her, that was a last attempt to have me evicted, but it failed, she pulled a taser on me on January 6th, 2023, it was all caught on film, their last ditch effort was the false RESTRAINING ORDER, which she did online, on January 12th, 2023, she and Sharon Avila who is the Vice-president of BMO Harris Bank on Kingshighway, Logan Clendaniel of the BMO Harris Bank located on 700 corporate Dr in Clayton, MO, I attempted to file a Fraud report with the North Patrol Division, I still have the fraud report, I also have the paperwork that stated on that paperwork that I was supposed to speak with a Det MAYBERRY, as of I have never heard from a Det MAYBERRY of the North Patrol Division, I am also happy that the state is taking over the police precincts in St Louis, MO, maybe something will get done, besides them sitting on their ASSES, collecting free money from the wealthy rich white men of the state of Missouri, so St Louis American newspaper are you going to put the truth in the newspaper of the St Louis American newspaper, or are you going to try and state that I am delusional and crazy, that has already failed, I have passed my psych evaluation not once but twice and I will continue to take any type of psych evaluation they wish to give me, they have continued to come into my apt and break my laptop, stole file’s, but they messed up as usual, don’t you think if I locked my laptop, don’t you think I should be able to unlock it, and the management of PT BOSLEY ESTATES, lied and stated that No One, has been in my apt, that was a lie, I requested to see the film of someone entering my apt, but the supervisor Stephanie Lash has failed to show me that film, if someone had entered my apt, I don’t have a damn thing to lose, but you people that hold high positions in St Louis, MO, are being paid off to look the other way, and let’s not forget the CIVILIAN OVERSIGHT, they are also involved in it, every organization who gave out rental assistance in Feb 2023, I was denied by everyone of them, and the main one was Urban League, my caseworker Krystian Stover and her father La Ron Stover who is the Chaplain of the Trinity United Methodist Church located in East St Louis, IL, he took part in my abduction, I needed to know who was on my side, I threw the messenger at La Ron Stover, and his daughter Krystian Stover, pretended she was a caseworker for ADAPT of Missouri, she wasn’t a caseworker, she to worked for Mac Properties, as well as her father, like they say “MONEY TALKS BULLSHIT WALKS”, Krystian Stover was mad at me because I didn’t tell her that the guy was married, she was sleeping with, she lied to her father, because I didn’t tell her about Mr Wrong, as we called him, now that Ms Spencer’s has won the Mayor seat I hope she can accomplish, something, besides sitting on their ASSES, collecting free money from the wealthy men here in St Louis, MO, too look the other way, I applaud you Mayor Spencer, Thank-You
She should have known who she served. There is a lot of corruption with tashara Jones and she mayor who has divided races. I’m glad she’s gone. She was a horrible mayor and is a horrible person.
St. Louis has always been racially divided and if you disagree, you’ve been living under a rock or you’re in denial.
Yes don’t forget who you are serving. Not just the North or South side but the whole city. Some parts of the city needs a lot of help. But you don’t ignore the other parts in the mean time. We are all in this together. Stop complaining about not getting the same treatment. We need to show we care for our city. If only more of you realized what a cool city this is. It needs lots of care. Just cleaning up trash is a start.
That’s the same thing racist say after they have intentionally disinvested in black communities while making sure the money flow directly benefited neighborhoods where whites reside.
I would like to change the date that I was abducted by, the real date is March 5th-April 1st of 2024, not 2025
People are tired of her corruption! Let’s give out money to fictitious addresses! Lol. You are joke! Racism and threats of violence are just two of the many reasons why people just do not trust you! North side vs South side…just shut up! North side and South side are both awesome! Just get out of the way please!
Racial tribalism has hurt St. Louis. Remember that voters dumped the previous mayor, a White woman perceived as ineffective, and voted in a Black woman. Similarly, the recent mayoral election was not about race, but about replacing an ineffective mayor who let city services slide, mismanaged the Rams settlement money, took numerous unnecessary trips and did not care about people unlike herself. I believe voters would have been delighted to reelect Tishaura Jones if she had done a decent job. She didn’t and has only herself to blame.
Jones is a JOKE, and I’m so glad she’s about to go!!! When a mayor let’s 1 of her residents freeze to death on the steps of City Hall she should be charged with Murder!!!
The backlash is big, well financed & vicious if Black people get anything. And foolish headline followers repeat unfounded accusations over & over. We reserve the worst gossip for our own. It was Black people gossiping that got John Africa & his family & followers killed. This election reminds me of why I relocated to raise my children away from the crabs in the crab barrel. I’m not happy with my city. It always winds up the same.
I personally have always known that the City’s Mayor has very little control over our City. However, people of color should not be dismayed by the outcome of this election. The former Mayor as well as those Mayors elected in the past were only concerned about their personal and financial gains while in office.
We need some fresh blood in city hall, as long as it’s red I don’t care what else it looks like!
I feel that Mayor Jones needed another term to continue her accomplishments in office of Mayor of St. Louis. However, I feel the current atmosphere in the White House negatively impacted on this election a desire for power of the 2 top government positions of the city to be occupied by other than African Americans. Also African American’s failing to participate in the voting process and those who participated in the negative campaign commercials against Mayor Jones will soon see how this broader plan plays out but not to benefit brown.people. Cara Spencer’s major campaign contributor Claybo is expecting a return for his hefty contribution and Cara Spencer will.be forced to make good on whatever promises she made for that1.4 million dollar support she was given by this corporation. I am sure it will not benefit North St. Louis. All will see this over time. Not filling potholes and snow removal in a timely fashion should not have been enough to take out Mayor Jones as decreased crime and increased response time for 911 services far out weighed those afore mentioned negatives. Mayor Jones did a great job and no one is perfect. I am hopeful that the new Mayor will be able to stand her ground for what is fair and right for All of the City of St. Louis.
The author seems detached from reality. Millions of dollars were wasted and Jones was absent most of the time. Richardson’s belief that bricks and mortar isn’t the priority confirmed that he is the wrong person for that position. Black leaders have to understand that white folks will give them an opportunity to lead but those leaders can’t forget them after they’re elected.
Its always about the pigment of the skin. So much for King’s vision!!
those that slander and complain, repeat lies, falsehoods and propaganda, are not prepared for what’s simmering in that ‘pot of soup’ that’s about to be served . In the next 6 months the heart of a deceiver will be revealed, the architect of malice and corruption carefully concealed with a smile and a few insignificant ‘favors’ that appear to be sweet will become extremely sour. You will quietly ask ‘what shall we do?’ Don’t believe me? Just watch in your cluelessly controlled subdued silence.
I sincerely hope that success continues for St. Louis.
Her prioritizing the declining and majority Black Northside did bother some voters (as also evidenced by comments). The headlines also picked her apart looking for any and every excuse to criticize her administration. My problem with St Louis in these situations is always turnout. The ppl most impacted by these elections do not turnout and city hall continues to neglect their communities. The Northside is about to look completely different real soon thanks to gentrification and to “big plans” of Cara’s donors.
I just pray that every leader of St Louis Mayor,Governor, whoever stands in position to make a difference to better the city of St Louis,starts to make a bigger impact of taking better care of their citizens,I’ve watched the city of St Louis go from being the best place to reside in,not to mention all the support and help needed to make sure families who may have been facing homelessness from loss of a job/ sickness in health be provided with the right resources that was needed,but then in the yr of 1014 it seems as if the city of St Louis took a turn for the worst,poverty struck at its highest and more homeless people entered the streets taking over all the downtown area by sleeping wherever they could,it was so disturbing coming back home to see my city in such turmoil,why life continued on as if those on the street didn’t matter along with protecting our streets from waste of trash everywhere, just a nasty sight to see, I pray by the oath of all life sovereign citizens that the city of St Louis will rise above all this madness and encourage one another to just work together and do better by one another no matter who is in office,we all have a duty to look out for one another by protect the parents/ youth in our cities to always make sure we all stand in the right of equality with one another, No one is better than the other,A tittle means nothing when your not exercising your God given rights to do exactly what you came to do which is make sure the people are always taken care of properly, we have come to far and worked to hard to keep moving aboard to be in a state of living in greed or just helping whom we choose to help, poverty is bad in St Louis and if change doesn’t come soon for a better and greater development,everything and everyone is gonna crash,you can’t keep praying off of the simple,and leave folks behind cause they lost a job or can’t work because of sickness etc… JUST DO RIGHT BY ONE ANOTHER AND LEAVE THE HATE OUTSIDE THE DOOR WHERE IT BELONGS.
A shell of its former self, the City will continue its trajectory as being a series loosely connected islands of prosperity amidst a sea of urban blight. Even with a $1+ billion dollar budget, the inept, parochial leadership cabal on Tucker struggles to provide basic services. Stayed tuned as the resurrected South Side (D)s have regained power, and the North Side (d)s are left to make do with a series of ineffectual fiefdoms. Like him or not, Congressman Wesley Bell is the new hope for the City.
Is there anyone to help Joan A Kersh?
Tisha’s Jones Mia managed one of the great opportunities in St Louis history, between the millions of dollars from the federal government and the 1/2 Billion $ from the Rams settlement – her claim to fame is “crime isn’t as bad as it was”. As usual with government – the money went to supporters / consultants to “study” the issues instead of taking action. The hope of the administration was another 4 years of paying back supporters with the windfalls instead of investing it in the city