Ward Endorsements

Tonight was the monthly meeting of the 25th Ward Regular Democratic Club – the ward club that I have been a member of since last summer. Tonight wasn’t our ward endorsement meeting – that will be next month on February 24th.

Tonight we heard from various elected officials including state reps Jeanette Mott Oxford, Mike Daus and Tom Villa. Comptroller Darlene Green paid us a visit campaigning even though she is unopposed and we also had Mayor Francis Slay,

My opponent Dorothy Kirner spoke and she was gracious enough to introduce me so I could say a few words. We will both get a chance to speak next month immediately prior to the endorsement vote. But from the looks of things on the street you’d think the ward committee has already voted to endorse the incumbent:

Ward-owned signs supporting Dorothy Kirner, used last year when challenging Republican Francis Wildhaber, can be spotted within the ward. To me this gives the false impression the ward has endorsed her in this coming election cycle. 25th Ward Committeeman Norman Sutterer disagrees – arguing the signs do not constitute an endorsement by the ward. Of course, he is also the Treasurer of her election committee so I really didn’t expect him to agree with me.

[Updated 2/10/2005: Note – as of a filing postmarked 1/26/2005 and received by the Missouri Ethics Commission on 1/28/2005 Norman Sutterer was replaced as Kirner’s campaign Treasurer by Martin Kirner. This posting was dated 1/27/2005 so I was still correct and they made their change prior to me posting my comments. – Steve]

If having ward signs out doesn’t constitute endorsement then I’m not sure what they’ll do once we actually have the endorsement vote on February 24th. A parade?

I had hoped we’d go into the election on a level playing field – operating by the same rules. But I’m OK with the way things are because I know my message of fresh ideas, youthful energy and a revitalized ward will triumph in the end. Also, my signs are on order – here is a sneak peak:

Remember the dates, register to vote by February 9th, Ward “endorsement” meeting on February 24th and primary election on March 8, 2005.

– Steve