Know Your Ballot: Citywide, State Rep, US Rep Races; 5th Ward Special Election
As the November general election gets closer I’m continuing the series looking at everything on the St. Louis ballot (sample). Previous weeks I covered:
This week is different because races for State Rep & State Senate depend on where you live. Find your elected officials here.
Okay, moving up toward the top of the ballot:
FOR TREASURER
- TISHAURA O. JONES – DEM (Jones ran saying she didn’t want to be the parking czar, but changed her tune after being sworn in)
- DARREN GRANT – REP
- JEROME BAUER – GRN (I’ll be voting for Bauer)
FOR SHERIFF
- VERNON BETTS – DEM (Got my vote in the primary, will again)
- JOHN N. CASTELLANO, III – REP
FOR CIRCUIT ATTORNEY
- KIMBERLY M. GARDNER – DEM (I’m glad she won the primary, but I’ll skip this race since she’s unopposed)
FOR STATE REP. DISTRICT 93
- BOB BURNS – DEM
- LANDREY SORBEL – REP
FOR STATE REP. DISTRICT 91
- SARAH UNSICKER – DEM
- GREG MUELLER – REP
FOR STATE REP. DISTRICT 84
- KARLA MAY – DEM
FOR STATE REP. DISTRICT 83
- GINA MITTEN – DEM
- ANDREW BOLIN – LIB
FOR STATE REP. DISTRICT 82
- DONNA M.C. BARINGER – DEM (16th Ward Ald will win, a special election will be called to replace her)
- ROBERT J. CRUMP – REP
FOR STATE REP. DISTRICT 81
- ALFRED J. [FRED] WESSELS – DEM (Former Ald is unopposed, congrats Fred)
FOR STATE REP. DISTRICT 80
- PETER MERIDETH – DEM
- TERESSA ROSE EZELL – GRN
FOR STATE REP. DISTRICT 79
- MICHAEL BUTLER – DEM (Will vote for my rep again)
- DAN ELDER – LIB
FOR STATE REP. DISTRICT 78
- BRUCE FRANKS – DEM (Franks will win easily, well-deserved)
- ERIK SHELQUIST – REP
FOR STATE REP. DISTRICT 77
FOR STATE REP. DISTRICT 76
- JOSHUA PETERS – DEM
FOR STATE REP. DISTRICT 66
- TOMMIE PIERSON, JR. – DEM
- JOHN A. SAXTON – REP
FOR STATE SENATOR DIST. 5
- JAMILAH NASHEED – DEM
- STEPHEN O. [STEVE] SCHAPER – LIB
SPECIAL ELECTION FOR STATE SENATOR DIST. 4
- JACOB W. HUMMEL – DEM
- BRYAN YOUNG – REP
- MICHAEL G. LEWIS – LIB
FOR U.S. REP. DISTRICT 1 (Geez, I don’t like any of my choices in this race.)
- LACY CLAY – DEM
- STEVEN G. BAILEY – REP
- ROBB E. CUNNINGHAM – LIB
Bonus Ballot!
In addition, those of us in the 5th ward will get a 2nd ballot. Last week Judge Julian Bush ordered a new election based on irregularities in how the Board of Election handled absentee ballots (read order). If you’re a 5th ward voter please vote for Rasheen Aldridge for 5th ward democratic committeeman.
Next week will be statewide races like Attorney General, Governor, US Senate.
— Steve Patterson
Just curious – why “skip” the circuit attorney race, just because they’re unopposed? Isn’t that the same thing as not voting for president because (the proverbial) you doesn’t like any of the choices, as some Republicans will be doing this November? In my mind, not voting shows either apathy or disdain, not support . . .
I think it makes sense in unopposed scenarios — because, a) your vote literally has no chance of making a difference, unlike in the scenario you detailed, but more importantly b) it’s a statement the proverbial you wants a competitive field of candidates. If the Circuit Attorney results have xx,000 less votes than those with two or more candidates, it makes a statement that the citizens are paying attention and do want options.
Even if you support the unopposed candidate, you can still show your desire for a deeper field with a no-vote.
Butler is not getting my vote. He has done nothing in office. He tried to slip in a bill that would remove St. Louis City’s ability to control the time when liquor sales are allowed — it would have allowed 24×7, which he thankfully withdrew when a firestorm of criticism blew up once people found out what he was trying to do under the radar. Finally, when he disagrees with a constituent on social media… his response is to immediately block them.
One thing I’ll give Lacy Clay credit for, he was the only one who publicly opposed the McCullough over the Michael Brown case. I give him credit for that despite feeling the way you do overall.