“The status quo won again,” St. Louis Treasurer Tishaura O. Jones said about incumbent Lewis Reed’s narrow victory over Jamilah Nasheed in the Democratic primary on March 5. The percentile vote split was Reed 36, Nasheed 32 and Green 31.
It was a good night for the status quo in the form of incumbents in the even-numbered wards that also had elections. In races The American has followed, 4th Ward Alderman Samuel L. Moore, 6th Ward Alderman Christine Ingrassia, 8th Ward Alderman Annie Rice, 20th Ward Alderman Cara Spencer and 22nd Ward Alderman Jeffrey Boyd all survived primary challenges.
However, not all of these incumbents represent the status quo in the same sense as Reed, who was endorsed by Mayor Krewson and drew challenges from the left. Ingrassia, Rice and Spencer have been consistently progressive voices on the board, with some exceptions.
The number and zest of the primary challenges earned the 2019 municipal primary the nickname “aldergeddon.”
Jesse Todd won the 18th Ward seat left open by Terry Kennedy’s retirement; Todd is the Ward’s Democratic committeeman. Shameem Clark Hubbard won the 26th Ward seat that incumbent Frank Williamson did not defend.
Rev. Darryl Gray, a leader of Stockley verdict actions, lost to Todd. Leata Price-Land, a beloved member of the community (and mother of newly elected state Rep. Wiley Price IV), lost to Hubbard.
At least one community organizer found a call for change in the narrowness of Reed’s victory.
“Both Green and Jamilah did exceptionally well against a resourced incumbent. This proves St. Louis is more progressive that the status quo wants to acknowledge, and that voters are eager for change,” said Kayla Reed, community organizer with Action STL.
“I hope Lewis sees the truth in those numbers and works to usher in real change for St. Louis.”
