Poll: Thoughts On The 2013 Race For St. Louis Mayor
The November presidential election is still more than four weeks away but already the March 2013 primary race for St. Louis mayor has begun.
On Wednesday Aldermanic President Lewis Reed announced what many had long suspected — he’s running for mayor against three-term incumbent Francis Slay.
Only one St. Louis mayor has ever run for a fourth 4-year term, that was Raymond Tucker.
In March 1965, during his bid for an unprecedented fourth term as mayor, Tucker lost to Alfonso J. Cervantes in the Democratic primary. (Wikipedia)
If Slay wins reelection next year it’ll be one for the record books. The two times Slay has been reelected (2005 & 2009) he had weak challengers, so 2013 will be different.
For the poll this week I want to know your thoughts on this competitive race. The poll is in the right sidebar, mobile users switch to the desktop layout.
I wish both men the best of luck.
— Steve Patterson
What are the issues? Let’s discuss those. Firefighter pensions. Funding recreation. Racial division. Local control of police. Community and economic development. Regional competitiveness. Urbanity. Sustainability. Education. Financial solvency for city government. Reform of local government structure, including merger/service sharing with STL county. Taxes including real estate taxes and the earnings tax. On these issues, which side has the greatest vision and plan for the health of St. Louis?
Ooops! How could I be so naive? I forgot _thee_ biggest issue in this race, especially for people *outside* of the city of St. Louis: CRIME. How will crime be politicized in this election to the advantage/disadvantage of the two candidates?
How about some other nonpartisan choices…why must civic level eclections be partisan in this city?
How about discussing something other than the political “process”. No one has addressed any of the core issues. Which candidate is better at handling the business of the city. Does it make a difference in the effort to restore local control whether Slay or Reed wins? We need to remember that a lot of people outside STL city control a lot about what happens inside STL city. Which candidate has stronger support outside of STL city?
Who will get your vote? (I’m undecided and need help)
Today is the first day of filing so I’m a long way from knowing how I’ll vote in the March primary and April general elections.