Making the Rounds on Election Night

At midnight I arrived at Steinberg Rink in Forest Park for the Greg Daly/Mike McMillan celebration party. This was not a watch party as those are reserved for candidates watching to see if they have won. With Daly and McMillan both knew they’d be victorious —- Daly with only minimal opposition and McMillan unopposed.

I had a nice conversation with McMillan as volunteers began to clean up after the party. McMillan said he was glad he was not challenged as he enjoys governing rather than politicking. From the level of contributions he receives it is clear he is quite good at the politics. Most observers see him as being groomed to be a future Mayor for the City of St. Louis. With that in mind I certainly intend to keep a close eye on him as well as attempt to educate him on urban planning related issues.

From there I headed over to Lindell Blvd for the Jeff Smith celebration. That party was still going pretty strong when I arrived although the big players such as Congressman Lacy Clay had already left. Dave, Lucas and Matt from the Arch City Chronicle were among the remaining guests.

As Antonio French is indicating on PubDef, the St. Louis Election Board (directors, staff, etc…) deserve major kudos for outstanding performance. The new electronic voting machines combined with live results at HQ and frequent updates online put them miles ahead of St. Louis County. The online reporting was very clear and straight forward. Very impressive. I’m sure we’ll hear about malfunctions with some machines and some waits but overall I think it went quite well.

The finally tally shows only 16.79% of registered voters in the city bothered to vote. That was only 33,196 people out of 197,676 registered voters in a city with a total population of around 350K. Now I am curious how many of our 350K residents are eligible voters because the number of registered voters seems high relative to the total population. Political watchers had predicted much higher turnout.

Hopefully we’ll see the precinct numbers soon as well as final numbers from St. Louis County on those races and ballot measures. I’ll be on KDHX’s Collateral Damage program on Monday evening at 7pm discussing the election results and other local topics.

– Steve

Thoughts on the Primary Election – UPDATED!

The polls have closed so now we wait to see how the new election devices performed. Hopefully the results will come in much sooner than in past elections and we can all get to bed at a decent hour. Here are some thoughts on a few of the races from today:

Update #1 at 10pm on 8/8/06 – 63% of city precincts reporting, 24% of St. Louis County. Update #2; 11:30pm – 200 of 203 precincts in the city reporting.

License Collector:

In November Republican Patrick L. Herod will attempt to defeat wildly popular Democratic Alderman Mike McMillan in a city that seldom votes for Republicans. I did not vote for McMillan today simply because he didn’t need my vote. I’m curious to see what percentage of voters checked off his name even though he is the only candidate.

Update #1 – 85% of the Democratic voters voter for McMillan with the other 15% perhaps drawing the same conclusion I did, why vote “for” someone that is not opposed.

Collector of Revenue:

Two Democrats are facing off in this race, current License Collector Gregory F.X. Daly and Cate Sauve. The winner will overwhelmingly be Daly who will face Green candidate Audrey M. Ruiz-Smith in November. I voted for Sauve today simply because Daly is so favored to win. I was actually surprised by the high number of Sauve signs I saw today.

Update #1 – Daly is walking away with this with over 81% of the votes.

Recorder of Deeds:

Sharon Quigley Carpenter is unopposed in the Democratic primary but will face Green Jerry S. McCaleb in November.

Update #1 – Just over 81% of those voting did so for this unopposed candidate.

Court Clerk:

Mariano V. Favazza is unopposed in the primary and the general in November. Four more years of Favazza while he tries to figure out a way to get elected to a higher office. I don’t see him getting elected to anything other than this office and not even then if someone actually challenges him.

Update #1 – Less than 79% of those voting so far gave Favazza the thumbs up.

State Senator 4th District

This has to be the most closely watched race of the day for our area. Most are predicting a win for either Yaphett El-Amin or Jeff Smith. Everyone agrees former Alderman Kenneth Jones will place last. The question will be how it all shakes out with two current state reps (Yaphett El-Amin & Amber Holly Boykins) and a former state rep (Derio Gambaro) with never before elected Jeff Smith. Two are black females with two being white males. This race is just too close to call but I will agree with others it will be either El-Amin or Smith. The winner today is the winner for the seat as no Republican, Green or Libertarian is running.

Update #1 – In the city Smith is taking the lead with El-Amin in close second and Gambaro in third. Update #2 – Jeff Smith is the clear winner with over 36% of the vote. Congratulations to Jeff Smith.

Today I stopped by Fanning School in the 15th ward where a volunteer was collecting signatures for the recall effort against 15th Ward Alderwoman Jennifer Florida. Last week I reported she was seen and heard plotting to get Gambaro elected in this race. Florida was at the polling place as well today and she made a point to show me she was standing next to a Jeff Smith volunteer and that she made no endorsements. Sounds to me like Florida was doing damage control on several fronts today. I will say her dress and hair did look quite nice…

State Representative 57th District

I have not followed closely this 3-way race with Joseph “Joe” Palm, Talibdin “TD” El-Amin, and Karla May. Like so many other races, no other parties have filed to challenge the Democratic candidate in November. Given that El-Amin’s wife is the current Rep. that should give TD the advantage but I hear strong support for Joe Palm.

Update #2 – Talibdin El-Amin has successfully won the seat being vacated by his wife, Yahphatt, due to term limits. She came in a strong second to Jeff Smith in the race for state senate.

State Representative 58th District

Professional candidate and two-term school board member William C. “Bill” Haas is attempting to unseat incumbent Rodney R. Hubbard. I don’t have an opinion on which candidate is the lesser of two evils but it is a moot point because Haas has about as much chance of winning as I do being appointed dog catcher by Mayor Slay.

Update #2 – Hubbard easily won re-election over challenger Haas.

State Representative 59th District

Mark Rice is once again trying to defeat Jeanette Mott Oxford. This time JMO is an incumbent with a strong base of support. JMO is the only candidate I have endorsed in this election cycle. She is my rep and I think she has done an outstanding job representing me in Jefferson City. She has continually informed constituents of issues through email and now through her website. Tonight’s winner will face-off with Libertarian Kevin C. Bobcock in November.

Update #1 – Looks like Rice was undercooked, JMO has over 80% of the vote within the city.

State representative 60th District

This 4-way race is another that I have not followed closely to make any informed commentary. I’ve seen Jamilah Nasheed at a number of meetings including mundane things like the Planning Commission. I’ve also seen her bright car all over town. Shaun A. Simms is the husband of the current Rep. Amber Boykins and Sharon Tyus is the former Alderwoman that got her ward moved across town in the last redistricting. If I had to venture a guess I’d say Nasheed is going to win this race but not by much.

Update #1 – As predicted earlier Nasheed is taking a strong lead so far with Tyus in close second. The others are out of the running.
Update #2 – Nasheed has won this race with 43.72% of the vote, 100% reporting.

City of St. Louis Proposition:

A city-wide proposition to raise the business license fee, defeated earlier this year, is back. I’m not holding my breath for the 60% needed to be approved.

Update #2 – With nearly all precincts in this proposition has failed to get the required 60% for passage.

St. Louis County Executive

Incumbent Charlie A. Dooley has two challengers; Charlotte Meshell and Carl Johnson. At 58 Dooley is the youngest in the race. I don’t think he’ll be staying up late worrying about the results.

Update #1 – Dooley has a commanding lead with around 79% of the vote with 24% of the precincts reporting.

City of Clayton:

A referendum on Eminent Domain; “Should it be the future policy of the city of Clayton that eminent domain should be significantly limited in conjunction with any economic development or redevelopment project?” Earlier this year Clayton blighted an entire city block and granted the right of eminent domain to Centene so they could expand their headquarters. I think the absurdity of blighting a block simply because it is not being used the way a corporation wants it to be used will cause a backlash among voters who will pass the referendum.

Update #1 – With 2 out of 6 precincts reporting the measuring has received over 70% approval. I do not know the percentage required for passage.

City of University City:

Voters in University City are considering a 1/4-cent sales tax to improve the Loop and Olive Blvd. From the information on STLtoday.com it looks like most of the annual revenue of $550,000 is intended for sidewalk replacement. Sales tax increases are difficult but most people can relate to sidewalks so this may pass. Also, many U-City residents know lots of sales tax is paid by people visiting their municipality so they’d probably rather approve a sales tax increase than a property tax increase.

Update #1 – Nearly 80% of the precincts reporting show this tax being approved with 62% so far, however, I do not know the percentage required for passage.

St. Charles County:

Voters are considering a charter amendment to require the district attorney to get the approval of the County Council prior to suing any municipalities. This may be stemming from litigation between the City of St. Peters and St. Charles County over the blighting of farm land and granting of TIFs in flood zones by St. Peters.

City of Lake St. Louis:

This municipality in St. Charles County has several bond issues on the ballot. This bedroom community is beginning to show its age and lack of sales tax revenue. Still, I don’t think voters will support the bond measures.

Jefferson County:

The City of Hillsboro is looking for passage of a bond issue for water and sewer improvements while the Town of Pevely is seeking a half-cent sales tax for capital improvements. I think in a small town like Pevely the sales tax might be an uphill battle but what do I know, I seldom get to Jefferson County.

Lincoln County:

Voters will decide on a sales tax in the Troy Transportation District. Don’t start thinking Troy is going to build a light rail system to get from the Piggly Wiggly to the Wal-Mart. This sales tax is for road improvements. According to the Post-Dispatch, “Voters formed the district in 2004, but last August they repealed the district’s authority to levy the sales tax. The district’s directors put the tax on Tuesday’s ballot. It only applies to stores within the district.” I’m just guessing that if voters last August repealed the authority to levy the tax they may not be so included as to reinstate the authority a year later, unless the pot holes have gotten considerably bigger in the last year…

I want to thank the folks at the Post-Dispatch for having an excellent voter guide on STLToday.com, I used their guide to aid in listing the above races.

– Steve

Florida Backing Gambaro in 4th District

“Progressive” Alderwoman Jennifer Florida was overheard strategizing with Laura Slay and Ald. Gregali about getting conservative Derio Gambero elected in the Missouri Senate’s 4th District over rivals Amber Boykins, Yaphett El Amin, Kenneth Jones and Jeff Smith. I’m told Laura Slay is a paid consultant on the Gambaro campaign. Apparently the trio was complaining about the Smith campaign attacking Gambaro on a mailing piece comparing him to George W. Bush.

The 15th is one of the more progressive wards in the city so it is a surprise to me that Florida would be supporting Gambaro over any of the other candidates in the race. The ward has two Democratic organizations, the closed organization where the committee persons endorse a candidate have selected Amber Boykins while the open 15th ward group voted to endorse Jeff Smith.

To my knowledge Florida has not publicly endorsed Gambaro but it seems everyone at Chris’ Pancakes got the message.

– Steve

The Twisted Logic of Ald. Florida

The West End Word had a recent article on recalls in the city. One part, about 15th Ward Alderwoman Jennifer Florida, caught my attention:

Florida called the recall effort against her a “terrible distraction,” but said that the effort against her has not affected the way she does her job, other than to force her to spend a bit more money producing newsletters and progress reports to explain her position.

Oh my, she must now communicate with her constituents!!! Oh the humanity. How dare folks “force” her to explain her position. Of course, her position in theory should be based on the feelings of the community. Did she think she could just get elected, not communicate anything, and not have any issues arise?

“There’s a lot of misinformation floating around out there, and I have to address that,” she said. “I’m trying to learn how to explain what I can and cannot do.”

The recall effort against Florida has been based on her support of a plan to move a McDonald’s franchise down the street from an existing location. Florida’s opponents say the move would be illegal, as the zoning for the new location does not allow a drive-thru, which is included in the design.

Florida said that the new location is commercially zoned, adding that there’s not a whole lot she could do to stop the move. “I think they thought I had more power than I actually have,” she said. “It’s just a small group of people who aren’t accepting [the move]. It’s like they’re trying to punish me for not getting exactly what they want.

I think someone needs to look in the mirror before talking about misinformation. Florida continues to downplay her role in the McDonald’s fiasco. After receiving substantial financial contributions from the officers of an entity seeking to profit in the deal, Florida took on an active role of making the project a reality. Her support, nearly to the point of being official spokesperson, did help influence the various boards that granted variances allowing the project to move forward. Had she remained neutral or opposed the drive-thru it most likely would not be happening now.

“I was always told recalls are about malfeasance in office or negligence. The reason why it’s in the charter is to cover corruption [in city politics]. But now it’s about not agreeing with an alderman’s position on an issue.”

I think if an alderman engages in criminal behavior we are not going to go through the recall process to remove them. Most often when a politician is caught with his/her hand in the candy jar or some other offense they typically resign amid charges of wrong doing. The recall process is in the charter to allow citizens to remove an elected representative when that person is no longer representing their interests. I believe that to be the case here and in a number of other recent recall efforts (Bauer, Roddy, & Bosley).

Florida said she suspects the recent rash of recalls stems from the citizens’ frustrations with federal and state politics. Because average citizens have little control over national issues, they instead vent their frustrations on local politicians, she said. “If you’re upset about the war in Iraq, you’re not going to recall President Bush,” she said. “Instead, you go after the people you have more control over.”

Florida can’t really be serious with this line of thinking, can she? She is suggesting that to be actively involved in local civic politics, including disagreeing with elected officials, is simply because we cannot impact issues on a state or federal level. Oh please! What a distorted view of the citizens of St. Louis! If we are not involved we are apathetic. If we are involved but disagree we are simply frustrated with others. How convenient for Ms. Florida to be so dismissive of everyone except those that agree with her. Open dialog about issues is the only way we will progress as a city but our elected officials don’t want dialog. They want status quo.

– Steve

Gambaro Gets Ugly in State Senate Race

Derio Gambaro’s conservative campaign for Missouri’s 4th Senate District has gotten ugly with a mailing that allegedly calls into question the sexuality of opponent Jeff Smith. The piece asks voters if Smith has been “straight” with them on all the issues [paraphrasing, my quotes].

I’ve personally asked Jeff Smith about his sexual orientation and he happens to be one of those not so masculine straight men. As there a good many hyper-masculine gay men out there it makes sense some of the straight men aren’t quite so straight in appearance. How this is relevant to the State Senate race is what I am curious about.

Clearly Gambaro is looking to get undecided voters in his camp. Will this tactic work or backfire?

More to follow as I obtain a copy of the mailer…

Update 7/31/2006 @ 8am:

See Travis Reems’ commentary on a push poll being conducted:

Gambaro Caller:
Would you be more or less likely to vote for a candidate if you knew he was paying somebody to pretend to be his girlfriend to cover up the fact that he is gay?

The implication that someone is gay simply because they have a certain appearance, mannerisms or a higher voice is offensive. Gambaro is trying to fit Jeff Smith into a roll of a stereotype that by many accounts doesn’t fit. If he can produce a boyfriend then I’ll believe him.

In this day and age it is often the person you least expect to be gay (or bisexual) that actually is. Examples include several Republican Congressmen; Jim Kolbe from Arizona, and in the 1990s you had millionaire Michael Huffington and Steve Gunderson. In the last 20 years we’ve also seen numerous anti-gay religious leaders caught with their pants down. Let’s not forget leading men such as Rock Hudson, Tab Hunter and Montgomery Clift or former major league baseball player Billy Bean.

If you want to let the Gambaro camp know just what you think of this tactic you can call their campaign at 314-773-6008.

– Steve