The City of St. Louis Democratic Central Committee poked a little fun at themselves by hosting a Halloween party this past Friday at the Glaziers Union office on Wilson. Some of the committee people wore masks and costumes, and others came as they are. The EYE could not tell the difference.
As usual, the highlight of a party thrown by Democrats was the latest political scuttlebutt. The EYE learned that State Senator Maida Coleman is serious about becoming a candidate for Missouri state auditor. Coleman believes she can defy the dual odds of being a Democrat and a black candidate and win a race for a statewide office.
Coleman said she will need to raise at least $600,000 to make her a viable candidate. That is a lot money for a first-time statewide candidate, especially when her main opponent, a lawyer and CPA from Independence, came out of the starter’s box with a $500,000 loan/contribution from her family and has raised $100,000 on top of that. Coleman believes she can win the primary by touting her rural Missouri origins (she was born in Sikeston) and her experience in a leadership role in the state Senate.
Another bit of scuttlebutt floating around was the rumor that Dario Gambaro was going to enter the race for the 4th District state Senate seat. Gambaro’s entry into the 4th District race will add a white conservative Democrat to the mix. This could present some voter defection for Jeff Smith, but with the announcement by Smith that he received the endorsement of State Representative and 16th Ward Committeeman Fred Kratky, Gambaro’s entry could be the equivalent of a gnat swirling in Smith’s face, causing a minor irritation, but no real harm.