As usual, most of the contested elections for St. Louis aldermanic seats are north of Delmar, in the predominantly black wards. For those who just might be interested, the EYE takes a look at the races in the contested wards and give its take on who the winners and losers will be next Tuesday.
In the 4th Ward, incumbent O.L. Shelton is facing a stiff challenge from Sam Moore, whom he narrowly defeated two years ago in a three-way contest to elect a successor to former 4th Ward Alderwoman Peggy Ryan, who was the victim of a successful recall election orchestrated by Shelton. Normally, the incumbent would get the benefit of the doubt, but the 4th Ward is about as balkanized and unpredictable as the politics in Iraq. The only weapons of mass destruction in the 4th Ward, however, are the candidates themselves. In a close race, the EYE gives the edge to Shelton.
The 6th Ward aldermanic race also is interesting. The incumbent, Lewis Reed, is trying to earn a promotion to president of the Board of Alderman, which leaves this the only open and contested seat in the city. Three candidates are vying to replace Reed. One is 6th Ward Democratic Committeeman Patrick Cachione. Cachione is a political consultant whose main claim to fame is that he ran against U.S. Rep. Wm. Lacy Clay. (For a consultant, Cacchione has been mailing to ward residents some of the worst-designed literature that local operatives have seen in recent years.) However, Cachionne has the endorsement of the ward organization. Another candidate is Christian Saller, a former St. Louis Development Corporation employee who is making his first run for public office and has promised to be a “full-time alderman.”
The third candidate – and the candidate whom the EYE thinks will be toasting a victory on Tuesday night – is Kacie Starr Triplett. Triplett is the secretary of the 6th Ward organization and the granddaughter of the recently deceased John Bass, former city comptroller and state senator. Triplett has garnered endorsements from the city Firefighters Union Local 73, the St. Louis Police Association, the St. Louis Labor Council, the Carpenters Union, Congressman Clay and his father, Bill Clay Sr., and the Service Employees Union. The 6th Ward is numerically a predominantly African-American ward, and although this is not the reason Triplett is asking ward residents to vote for her, the political reality does bode well that the other two candidates are white.
Another interesting contest is in the 12th Ward. This is the first time in more than 20 years that the lone Republican of the Board of Aldermen is facing a contest in the primary. The incumbent Fred Heitert will win, but the election could have an impact on the race for president of the Board of Aldermen. In a normal year when there is no Republican challenger, the Democratic candidate for president of the Board of Aldermen would seek out the endorsement of Heitert and other Republicans in the 12th Ward. The Republicans would be encouraged as they were in 1987 by Tom Villa when he ran against Mike Roberts and 15th Ward Alderman Geraldine Osborn. Villa was endorsed by the Republican Party, which encouraged its members to cross over and vote for Villa, the Democratic candidate.
The 12th Ward is one of the highest-voting wards in the city. A contested Republican race will prevent Shrewsbury from launching a sub-rosa race-baiting appeal to these voters to cross over and vote Democratic. Republicans will be encouraged to stay at home and vote in their own primary.
In the 18th Ward, incumbent Terry Kennedy will easily defeat perennial candidate for everything Bill Haas.
Last but not least is the never-ending battle for truth and justice in the 22nd Ward, where the incumbent Jeffery Boyd is once again locked up in a fierce battle with his nemesis for life, 22nd Ward Democratic Committeeman Jay Ozier. Ozier and his forces lost by 8 votes in the last election and are trying to win back the seat once held by Ozier’s political ally, the former 22nd Ward Alderman Kenneth Jones. Trying to call this election is like trying to solve the question of how many angels can sit on the head of needle.
In the 26th Ward, incumbent Frank Williamson faces a challenge from Lee Willis, in his second bid to unseat Williamson. In this case, the second time will not be a charm for Willis.