Propositions
No one could deny that the St. Louis Public Schools needs infrastructural upgrades. When we learn that some of these needed upgrades will make computers newly accessible to students, their necessity becomes urgent. A bond issue on the ballot would allow the district to issue $100 million in bonds, take advantage of another $55 million in no-interest federal bonds, and do so without raising the tax rate. We strongly endorse a vote of YES ON PROPOSITION S.
Another district crucial to the black community in this area, the fully accredited Ferguson-Florissant School District, also has a no-tax-rate-increase bond issue on the August 3 ballot. Like SLPS, the district is trying to get away from using operating money to fund capital projects, which is wise. We strongly endorse a vote of YES ON PROPOSITION A.
The right wing in Missouri is trying to embarrass President Obama by floating Proposition C, an attempt to undermine federal health insurance reform that will have no effect even if it passes. We endorse a vote of NO ON PROPOSITION C.
State Senate
We had stern concerns about the insider process that installed Joe Keaveny as state senator, and remain even more deeply concerned about his ties to Rex Sinquefield’s money machine, given Sinquefield’s dangerous proposals for our tax structure. But Keaveny has committed himself to important legislation to bring local control to the City police, make kindergarten mandatory at age five and target payday lenders that prey upon the black community. He was not our first choice for the seat, but he is the superior choice on this ballot. We endorse JOE KEAVENY IN THE 4TH DISTRICT.
Maria Chappelle-Nadal has six years of experience in Jefferson City and is a proven, stalwart progressive battler. Her youthful energy also gives her the edge over Joe Adams, the only other candidate in this race who is free of the taint of major funding by Rex Sinquefield. While we have some concern for her, at times, brash behavior and penchant for picking fights she doesn’t need, we feel she has learned some painful lessons in this regard. It is with raised expectations that we endorse MARIA CHAPPELLE-NADAL IN THE 14TH DISTRICT.
Barbara Fraser has almost an ideal resume for replacing Joan Bray to represent part of St. Louis County in the Missouri Senate, with extensive experience as a state representative and County Council member. Her 22 years of experience in the classroom also position her well to fight conservative forces that have targeted public education in this state. We strongly endorse BARBARA FRASER IN THE 24TH DISTRICT.
State House
Hope Whitehead represented a vast improvement, in terms of intelligence and ethics, from T.D. El-Amin, whom she was appointed to replace after his conviction for bribery. She faces a challenger backed by Jeffrey Boyd, but she has proven herself to be a hard worker who is worthy of the community’s support. We strongly endorse HOPE WHITEHEAD IN THE 57TH DISTRICT.
James T. Morris lucked into his position when a candidate picked by Rodney Hubbard’s political organization was dumped from the ballot for technical reasons. Now he faces Hubbard’s mother and that same formidable political organization. Morris has been a progressive vote in Jefferson City and has shown the courage to come forward on a number of crucial and controversial issues. We endorse the incumbent JAMES T. MORRIS IN THE 58TH DISTRICT.
While Rachel Storch has left Missouri politics, her endorsement of a successor is meaningful to us, and she has endorsed Susan Carlson. As an attorney and law professor with a history of working with groups like the ACLU, Carlson’s progressive credentials are impressive. We endorse SUSAN CARLSON IN THE 64 DISTRICT.
Tommie Pierson is a proven progressive battler with Metropolitan Congregations United and on the Riverview Gardens School Board. From his North County base, we can think of no better place for him to advance in politics than in Jefferson City. We endorse TOMMIE PIERSON IN THE 69TH DISTRICT.
Clem Smith, age 33, is a union machinist with extensive experience in politics from a worker’s perspective. His intelligence, earnestness and commitment to the community have earned him perhaps the most impressive list of endorsements by Democratic officials and organizations of anyone running in this primary. We think his presence will bring a level head and a strong community commitment to the Legislative Black Caucus in Jefferson City. We strongly endorse CLEM SMITH IN THE 71ST DISTRICT.
Steve Webb is an incumbent African-American state representative who faces two challengers, both white. We believe African Americans need all of the capable representation in the state capital that we can get, and Webb has demonstrated strong community commitments as a public servant. We endorse STEVE WEBB IN THE 74TH DISTRICT.
Clerk of the Circuit Court
We have a low regard for the relevance of the redundant, so-called County offices in the City of St. Louis as elected positions. Nevertheless Mariano V. Favazza has shown an admirable spirit of independence as a white politician in the city. However, we see in Jane Schweitzer a keen intelligence and civic spirit that is refreshing in city politics. We would prefer to see her run for a more meaningful office, but we endorse JANE SCHWEITZER FOR CIRCUIT CLERK.
Other races
A number of incumbent Democrats face nominal opposition in this primary; they all deserve reelection. For U.S. Congress we strongly endorse WM. LACY CLAY IN THE 1ST DISTRICT and RUSS CARNAHAN IN THE 3RD DISTRICT, and we endorse SUSAN MONTEE FOR STATE AUDITOR. There are several Democratic candidates for the open seat in the U.S. Senate, but only one matters. We strongly endorse ROBIN CARNAHAN FOR U.S. SENATE.