Tag: Alisha Sonnier

Campaign $ and Millennium Hotel Deal

Cha Ching graphic with floating paper money

March 10th , 2025, A Brighter Future for St Louis PAC received $50,000 from The Lamar Johnson Collaborative, the architectural firm now working with Bob Clark’s Clayco and Gateway Arch Park Foundation on redevelopment of former Millennium Hotel. It’s Mayor Cara Spencer’s PAC, a way around campaign finance contribution limits.

Clayco contributed a total of $130,674.60 to the PAC in January-February. Those monies helped fund mailings produced by Mike Kelley‘s Show Me Victories and negative media against then Mayor Tishuara Jones.

Clark donated the maximum $2,600 to both Spencer and now Comptroller Donna Baringer this year. But he also donated $10,000 February 25th to 71 Percent PAC run by Kelley Group/Show Me Victories, political consultants.

The 71 Percent PAC paid $77,897.24 to Show Me Victories for digital ads and mailings supporting and opposing candidates. It supported the election of Spencer and Baringer as well as re-election of 11th Ward Alder Laura Keyes and losing 7th Ward Alder candidate Cedric Redmond. It opposed the re-election of Mayor Jones and Comptroller Darlene Green as well as 7th Alder Alisha Sonnier.

Board Bill Number 39 In Session 2025-2026 Chapter 99 Redevelopment Plan for 200 South 4th St. Redevelopment Area Summary This Board Bill seeks to approve a Chapter 99 Redevelopment Plan and Blighting Study for the 200 South 4th St. Redevelopment Area. The proposed Bill also allows for use of eminent domain within the area for all properties. This Board Bill will allow for up to a 20-year tax abatement at 90 percent.

In 2019, then Alder Spencer co-sponsored Charter amendments against concealment of campaign donor true identity ( Board Bill 41) and against candidates accepting funds from donors seeking City contracts (Board Bill 40). Neither made it to the ballot.

In September, the Board of Alders passed and Spencer signed a redevelopment plan for Millennium Hotel. Board Bill 39 provides for 20 years of tax abatement (making St. Louis public school children pay for redevelopment), per Bill Summary on City website as of 12/29/2025, on the project as well as eminent domain use.

Updated 12/29/2025 to reflect tax abatement information from official bill Summary, not me comparing the 105 page Introduced bill to the 104 Committee Substitute bill. If Summary is wrong, that’s not on me.

How Much Does A St. Louis City Alder Seat Cost?

Man with giant green money bag

Updated 12/27/2025 to reflect additional December 2025 donations by Jerald Kent, Chairman and CEO of Tierpoint and Cequel 3 data centers.

I have no idea how much candidates for St. Louis City Alder and Board President raised and spent in 2023 or 2025. I could go thru campaign finance reports filed at Missouri Ethics Commission. But those figures would be highly problematic because of independent spending by political action committees (PACs), legal money laundries in Missouri.

What I can tell you about is the St. Louis City-based PAC, that now has an agenda before the Board of Alders and City economic development boards, that spent a lot of money electing the Board of Alders in recent years. A LOT.

Civic Progress Action Committee, the PAC for Civic Progress, and its successor 21st Century St. Louis PAC, the PAC for Greater St. Louis, have a 24 year history online at MEC. It’s a history showing dramatic changes in purpose and how they operate– two different eras, different goals.

Civic Progress Action Committee was run for many years by Walter L. Metcalfe, Jr. and Alfred E. Kerth, III. Civic Progress was a rich white man’s club, the captains of industry. Their PAC was noblesse oblige politics.

Civic Progress Action Committee paid for lunch meetings at private clubs including St. Louis Club and The Bogey Club. It paid for administrative services from FleishmanHillard, Bryan Cave, PricewaterhouseCoopers, RubinBrown, and Civic Progress Inc. It invested hundreds of thousands of dollars in Euro Dollar Bonds. Nothing like that shows up in 21st Century St. Louis PAC’s reports.

Civic Progress Action Committee hired lobbyists to monitor and testify at hearings: 35 checks, $5,000 each to Nexus Group from February 2018 to December 2020; 33 checks, $5,000 to $10,000 each to Dentons, previous employers of Nexus Group, from January 2015 to February 2018. Lobbyist Dick Wiles, a Jefferson City fixture for decades, once represented Civic Progress as well.

Greater St. Louis has 15 lobbyists, both at the State Capitol and at City Hall. They are not paid by 21st Century St. Louis PAC. At City Hall and at economic development board meetings (corporate welfare) the organization is served by attorney David Sweeney, former Clerk of the Board of Alders and considered a “friend” by most Alders and other elected officials at City Hall. Sweeney also lobbies for many developers. Generally, Alders rubberstamp projects that Sweeney represents.

One thing that Civic Progress Action Committee did not do was consort with City Alders, donate to candidates, or make Independent Expenditures to elect candidates. That all changed when Civic Progress merged with several organizations to become Greater St. Louis and Jason Hall, its CEO, took over Civic Progress Action on August 3, 2022. Good luck finding a news article on this merger that is objective, not mostly propaganda.

In 2023, 21st Century St. Louis PAC helped elect two Alders representing the City’s central corridor and lesser amounts on eight other successful candidates, 12 of 15 votes on the Board including Board President Megan Green. In 2025, the PAC helped elect 8 of 8 Alder seats on regular and special election ballots, a majority of votes on the Board.

In 2023, 21st Century St. Louis PAC’s $42,936.02 in direct expenditures and contributions were pivotable to helping nine-year Washington University employee Michael Browning defeat two incumbent Alders-  Tina “Sweet-T” Pihl and Michael Gras- to become Alder of the City’s Central West End’s new 9th Ward, a product of consolidating wards from 28 to 14 and subsequent redistricting. Another $40,936.03 went to the re-election of 14th Ward Alder Rasheen Aldridge, one of two Downtown Alders.

In 2025, 21st Century St. Louis PAC spent $13,936.68 on Alder Browning, who had neither a primary nor general election opponent, and $26,379.91 electing banker Jami Cox Antwi as Downtown’s second Alder, the 8th Ward seat vacated by the election of Alder Cara Spencer to Mayor.

Another $16,183.60 went to the re-election of 1st Ward Alder Anne Schweitzer; $16,533.44 to help re-elect 7th Ward Alder Alisha Sonnier; and $13,978.68 to re-elect 11th Ward Alder Laura Keys; plus, smaller amounts for another four Alders.

Browning and Aldridge have sponsored millions and millions of dollars in corporate welfare for developers in the City’s central corridor (Central West End to Downtown)- property tax abatements (which reduce revenue to public schools), sales tax exemotions, developer-controlled special taxes, and more. Antwi is the Board’s newest member but will predictably follow in the footsteps of Spencer and, before that, Alder Phyllis Young, in sponsoring millions in corporate welfar for Downtown developers. That’s why Greater St. Louis invests money in Alder elections. And the sky’s the limit on how much.

Most of the money spent by 21st Century St. Louis PAC was by Direct Expenditure. In Missouri, these are funds to support or oppose a candidate or ballot measure without giving directly to a candidate or committee, money for mailings, robo calls, digital advertising, etc.

Direct Expenditures are a way around campaign finance contribution limits. A PAC can donate the legal limit, for Alders that’s $2,600, then spend as much as it wants in Direct Expenditures. 21st Century St. Louis PAC did exactly that.

Direct Expenditures are also only reported by the PAC making them. They do not show up on beneficiary candidate or ballot committee reports. You have to know who the players are in an election and track their reports available online at Missouri Ethics Commission. The spending may attract news media attention for statewide candidates and ballot issues but rarely local elections.

January 2023 to October 2025
21st Century St. Louis PAC
Direct Expenditures Benefiting St. Louis City Candidates
06/30/2025 $11,627.82 Alder Jami Cox Antwi
06/13/2025 $12,152.03 Alder Jami Cox Antwi
03/24/2025 $14,183.60 Alder Anne Schweitzer
03/24/2025 $13,933.44 Alder Alisha Sonnier
03/24/2025 $13,836.68 Alder Michael Browning
03/24/2025 $13,718.68 Alder Laura Keys
03/29/2023 $6,686.28 former Alder Joe Vollmer
03/29/2023 $6,686.27 former Alder Joe Vaccaro
03/27/2023 $11,140.06 Alder Michael Browning
03/27/2023 $11,140.07 Alder Rasheen Aldridge
03/22/2023 $11,235.48 Alder Michael Browning
03/22/2023 $11,235.48 Alder Rasheen Aldridge
03/20/2023 $15,960.48 Alder Michael Browning
03/20/2023 $15,960.48 Alder Rasheen Aldridge

January 2023 to October 2025
21st Century St. Louis PAC
Contributions to St. Louis City Electeds and Failed Candidates
05/28/2025 $2,600 Alder Jami Cox Antwi
03/26/2025 $2,600 Alder Laura Keys
02/13/2025 $2,600 Alder Anne Schweitzer
02/13/2025 $2,600 Alder Matt DeVoti
02/13/2025 $2,600 Alder Alisha Sonnier
12/17/2024 $2,600 Alder Pam Boyd
12/17/2024 $2,600 Alder Shane Cohn
12/17/2024 $2,600 Alder Laura Keys
10/09/2024 $2,600 Alder Michael Browning
12/14/2023 $2,600 Circuit Attorney Gabe Gore
03/10/2023 $2,600 failed Alder candidate J.P. Mitchom
03/10/2023 $2,600 Alder Rasheen Aldridge
03/10/2023 $2,600 Alder Michael Browning
03/10/2023 $2,600 Alder Tom Oldenburg
03/10/2023 $2,600 Board President Megan Green
03/10/2023 $2,600 Alder Shane Cohn
03/10/2023 $2,600 Alder Daniela Velazquez
03/10/2023 $2,600 Alder Pam Boyd
03/10/2023 $2,600 former Alder Joe Vollmer
03/10/2023 $2,600 Alder Laura Keys
03/10/2023 $2,600 former Alder, now Mayor Cara Spencer
02/21/2023 $2,600 Alder Shane Cohn
02/21/2023 $2,600 Alder Daniela Velazquez
02/21/2023 $2,600 former Alder, now Mayor Cara Spencer
02/21/2023 $2,600 former Alder Joe Vollmer
02/21/2023 $2,600 Alder Michael Browning
02/21/2023 $2,600 former Alder Mike Gras
02/21/2023 $2,600 Alder Laura Keys
02/21/2023 $2,600 Alder Pam Boyd
02/21/2023 $2,600 former Mayor Tishaura Jones
02/21/2023 $2,600 former Comptroller Darlene Green
02/21/2023 $2,600 Board President Megan Green
02/21/2023 $2,600 Alder Tom Oldenburg
02/21/2023 $2,600 former Alder James Page
02/21/2023 $2,600 Alder Rasheen Aldridge

Who funded the 21st Century St. Louis PAC’s efforts in St. Louis City Alder campaigns in 2023 and 2025?

January 2023 to October 2025
21st Century St. Louis PAC Funders

12/16/2025 $20,000 Jerald Kent (Tierpoint and Cequel 3, data center)
08/11/2025 $20,000 Jerald Kent (Tierpoint and Cequel 3, data center) – this contribution was posted 12/22/2025 as a 48 Hour Report, so should be getting a fine from Missouri Ethics Commission for failure to disclosure in timely manner
07/29/2025 $7,372.44 STL Regional Chamber PAC*
02/27/2025 $5,000 Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner (law firm)
02/23/2025 $5,000 David Peacock (Advantage Solutions)
02/03/2025 $5,000 David Peacock (Advantage Solutions)
12/02/2024 $10,000 John Tracy (Dot Family Holdings)
11/12/2024 $25,000 Andrew Taylor (Enterprise Mobility)
10/23/2024 $5,000 Commerce Bancshares
10/10/2024 $10,000 Ameren (utility, strong interest in data centers)
10/07/2024 $20,000 Lodging Hospitality Management (developer, hotelier)
08/23/2024 $4,500 Jerome Schlichter (attorney)
08/23/2024 $4,500 Susan Schlichter (retired)
08/20/2024 $5,000 Michael Konzen (PGAV)
08/14/2024 $10,000 John Tracy (Dot Family Holdings)
08/13/2024 $10,000 Thompson Coburn (law firm)
08/12/2024 $20,000 Jerald Kent (Tierpoint and Cequel 3, data center)
08/16/2024 $5,000 Schnuck Markets
09/05/2023 $10,000 John Tracy (Dot Family Holdings)
03/29/2023 $4,000 Lodging Hospitality Management (developer, hotelier)
03/29/2023 $4,000 Susan Schlichter (retired)
03/27/2023 $10,000 Thompson Coburn (law firm)
03/27/2023 $5,000 Spire PAC (utility)
03/24/2023 $2,500 Commerce Bancshares
03/21/2023 $5,000 900 N Tucker LLC (developer,Old Post-Dispatch Bldg, data center, Interco Plaza)
03/20/2023 $10,000 Jerald Kent (Tierpoint and Cequel 3, data center)
03/20/2023 $3,000 Edward L. Dowd Jr. Living Trust (attorney)
03/17/2023 $20,000 First Bank
03/16/2023 $10,000 Post Holdings (consumer packaged foods)
03/14/2023 $5,000 Bryan Cave Missouri PAC (law firm)
02/24/2023 $5,000 900 N Tucker LLC (developer, Old Post-Dispatch Bldg, data center, Interco Plaza)
02/17/2023 $5,000 Schnuck Markets
02/14/2023 $5,000 Commerce Bancshares PAC
02/09/2023 $5,000 Jerome Schlichter (attorney)
02/07/2023 $25,000 Andrew Taylor (Enterprise Holdings)
02/08/2023 $10,000 Jerald Kent (Tierpoint, data center)
02/06/2023 $5,000 Lodging Hospitality Management (developer, hotelier)
02/02/2023 $5,000 Robert Hermann Jr (Busch Family, Hermann Companies)
02/01/2023 $5,000 Thompson Coburn (law firm)

Notice how much the source of funds changed after the merger.

January 2015 to December 2020
Civic Progress Action Committee Funders
12/21/2020 $12,000 SSM Health St. Louis
11/17/2020 $4,500 Caleres Inc
10/13/2020 $7,500 Nestle Purina PetCare
10/13/2020 $7,500 BJC Healthcare
09/30/2020 $4,500 Stifel Financial
09/26/2020 $7,500 Edward Jones
09/23/2020 $4,500 Maritz
08/27/2020 $7,500 Ameren Missouri
06/25/2020 $4,500 Coin Acceptors Inc
06/22/2020 $4,500 Schnucks Markets
06/10/2020 $4,500 Harbour Group Industries
06/05/2020 $13,000 RGA Reinsurance
05/29/2020 $4,500 Cequel III
05/18/2020 $4,500 Graybar Electric
05/11/2020 $4,500 Spire Missouri
03/31/2020 $13,000 Anheuser-Busch
02/11/2020 $13,000 Centene Management
02/10/2020 $4,500 Commerce Bancshares
02/06/2020 $13,000 Emerson Electric
01/31/2020 $4,500 Hunter Engineering
01/29/2020 $13,000 Enterprise Holdings Inc PAC
12/13/2019 $75,000 Civic Progress Inc
03/20/2019 $4,500 Caleres
02/26/2019 $4,500 Maritz
02/08/2019 $7,500 Mercy
01/25/2019 $13,000 Centene Management
01/25/2019 $13,000 Enterprise Holdings Inc PAC
01/16/2019 $4,500 Schnucks Markets
01/02/2019 $7,500 Ameren Missouri
12/14/2028 $4,500 Hunter Engineering
11/05/2018 $25,000 Civic Progress
11/02/2018 $4,500 Cequel III
10/23/2018 $4,500 Maritz
05/31/2018 $4,500 Graybar Electric
05/21/2018 $4,500 BJC HealthCare
05/16/2018 $4,500 Harbour Group Industries
05/07/2018 $13,000 Anheuser-Busch
05/03/2018 $4,500 Coin Acceptors
05/03/2018 Southwestern Bell Telephone dba AT&T
05/01/2018 $7,500 RGA Reinsurance
05/01/2018 $13,000 Express Scripts
03/29/2018 $4,500 Caleres Inc
02/08/2028 $7,500 Edward Jones
01/26/2018 $4,500 Mercy St. Louis
01/24/2018 $4,500 Harbour Group Industries
01/24/2018 $13,000 Enterprise Holdings Inc. PAC
01/24/2018 $7,500 Centene Management
01/09/2018 $13,000 Emerson Electric
01/17/2018 $4,500 Spire Missouri
01/05/2018 $4,500 Commerce Bancshares
09/13/2017 $4,500 Southwestern Bell Telephone dba AT&T
07/01/2017 $4,500 Commerce Bank
06/20/2017 $13,000 Monsanto
06/12/2017 $13,000 Anheuser-Busch
05/22/2017 $13,000 Enterprise Holdings Inc. PAC
05/17/2017 $7,500 RGA Reinsurance
05/02/2017 $4,500 Mercy
04/28/2017 $4,500 Maritz
04/11/2017 $4,500 Caleres Inc
04/06/2017 $4,500 Coin Acceptors Inc
03/30/2017 $4,500 Stifel Financial
02/02/2017 $7,500 World Wide Technology Holding Co
01/30/2017 $4,500 Schnuck Markets
01/25/2017 $7,500 Centene Management
01/25/2017 $7,500 Edward Jones
12/22/2016 $13,000 Emerson Electric
12/22/2016 $4,500 Hunter Engineering
12/20/2016 $4,500 BJC Healthcare
12/20/2016 $175,000 Civic Progress
12/19/2016 $4,500 The Laclede Group
11/07/2016 $2,000 Committee for Bond Initiatives
09/07/2016 $13,000 Anheuser-Busch
08/16/2016 $4,500 Harbour Group Industries
06/30/2016 $4,500 Graybar Electric
06/20/2016 $4,500 BJC Healthcare
06/20/2016 $4,500 Mercy
06/10/2016 $7,500 RGA Reinsurance
05/31/2016 $13,000 Express Scripts
05/31/2016 $4,500 Commerce Bancshares
05/31/2016 $4,500 Coin Acceptors
04/27/2016 $4,500 Cequel III
03/31/2016 $4,500 Stifel Financial
03/14/2016 $13,000 Enterprise Holdings PAC
02/29/2016 $4,500 The Laclede Group
02/09/2016 $4,500 Caleres
02/09/2016 $4,500 Schnuck Markets
02/02/2016 $7,500 Centenne Management
02/02/2016 $7,500 US Bank
02/02/2016 $13,000 Monsanto
01/26/2016 $4,500 Civic Progress
01/22/2016 $13,000 Emerson Electric
01/20/2916 $7,500 Ameren
01/12/2016 $4,500 Hunter Engineering
01/11/2016 $7,500 Edward Jones
12/22/2016 $13,000 Anheuser-Busch
05/28/2015 $4,500 Harbour Group Industries
05/28/2015 $4,500 Coin Acceptors
05/28/2015 $4,500 Maritz
05/15/2015 $4,500 Commerce Bancshares
05/15/2015 $4,500 Mercy
05/08/2015 $7,500 Nestle Purina PetCare
04/02/2015 $7,500 Energizer Holdings
03/12/2015 $7,500 Edward Jones
03/12/2015 $4,500 TKG Management
03/02/2015 $7,500 Peabody Investments
02/25/2015 $4,500 Schnuck Markets
02/25/2015 $4,500 Southwestern Bell Telephone dba AT&T Missouri
02/06/2015 $4,500 Brown Shoe
01/23/2015 $4,500 Graybar Electric
01/23/2015 $4,500 World Wide Technology Holding Co
01/23/2015 $7,500 Centene Management
01/19/2015 $4,500 UniGroup
01/15/2015 $7,500 US Bank
01/08/2015 $4,500 PF Services, Inc., 670 Mason Ridge Center
01/08/2015 $4,500 Hunter Engineering
01/08/2015 $13,000 Emerson Electric
01/08/2015 $7,500 Ameren

Civic Progress Action Committee paid for ballot issue campaigns affecting City of St. Louis- school bonds, Charter reform, Metropolitan Sewer District, sales tax for police, as well as statewide ballot issues. In 2012, as example, $68,600 was spent on Citizens for a Healthy Missouri’s ballot issue for a cigarette tax increase, defeated 51% to 49%. It will be interesting to see if Greater St. Louis continues that legacy.

January 2015 to December 2022
Civic Progress Action Committee & Civic Progress Inc
Contributions & Direct Expenditures to Ballot Issues
03/14/2022 $25,000 Local Jobs for STL
08/13/2021 $20,000 Invest in St. Louis Community College
03/19/2021 $25,000 Yes on Prop E – Earnings Tax STL
10/06/2017 $125,000 Citizens For A Safer St. Louis
03/29/2017 $10,000 Reduce & Reform STL
04/05/2017 $10,000 direct expenditure for Proposition S
02/24/2016 $100,000 Friends of St. Louis Public Schools
04/05/2016 $100,000 direct expenditure for Proposition 1
11/23/2015 $20,000 Campaign for Clean Water STL

In 2024, 21st Century St. Louis PAC endorsed MAGA candidate Mike Kehoe for Missouri Governor. In June 2025, the PAC donated $5,000 to the Missouri House Republican Campaign Committee. In May, 2025 Governor Kehoe and Missouri General Assembly took away local control of St. Louis City’s Police Department, overturned the will of Missouri voters who had approved local control.

*STL Regional Chamber PAC was part of the merger that created 21st Century St. Louis PAC. It was short lived on its own. Other than ordering checks, it spent no funds. The money transferred came from $7,500 in contributions in 2021 from Missouri American Water Employees PAC and Anheuser Busch, the only contributions the PAC had received.

St. Louis City Alder Candidate Filing Ends Jan 3rd

Updated Thursday, 01/02/2025, with additional candidate filed in 11th Ward, the incumbent Alder.

Updated Monday, 12/30/2024, with additional candidate filed in 7th Ward.

Seven Alder seats in St. Louis City, the odd numbered wards, are up for election this Spring. Even numbered wards will be elected in 2027.

Filing began November 25th and ends January 3rd. Filing for Alder is done at St. Louis City Board of Election Commissioners in Downtown.

The Primary Election is March 3rd and the General Election is April 8th. This will be the second election that Alders are elected by nonpartisan ballot with the top two Primary winners going on to General Election. In 2023, all 14 Alders were elected to two year or four year terms. This is the election for four year terms in 1st, 3rd, 5th, 7th, 9th, 11th, and 13th Wards.

Alder Salary is $72,000. That may seem like a full time job salary but in St. Louis City you can be elected an Alder and still own businesses, be a bank Vice President like 2nd Ward Alder Tom Oldenburg, be a landlord for apartments or Airbnbs.

Qualifications to run for Alder
√ Age: at least 25 years
√ City Resident: at least 3 years
√ Resident of Ward: at least 1 year
√ City Taxpayer: at least 2 years
√ U.S. Citizen: at least 5 years
√ Shall not have been convicted of malfeasance in office, bribery or other corrupt practice or crime

Requirements to file for Alder
√ Filing Fee: 1% of Salary (current salary is $72,000)
√ Nominating Petition
√ Tax Clearance: by Collector of Revenue for personal property, real estate, earnings taxes + water-trash bills
√ Compliance with all Campaign Finance Laws

Candidates Filed as of January 2nd

First Ward

Filed: Anne Schweitzer
Incumbent Voting Records- Board Bills
Campaign Website
Occupation: Alder; campaign consultant at Public Eye; 2018 consultant for election of State Rep. Steve Butz; owner of now dissolved nonprofit Rumble Cats Rescue
Residence: Boulevard Heights
Residence Tax Abated: No
Candidate MEC Committee
October 2024 Report: $26,017.63 on hand, no debts. Donors of Note: $750 Richard Callow, Public Eye owner; $500 City Collector of Revenue Gregg Daly; $500 State Rep. Steve Butz; $500 Fred Wessels, former State Rep and former Alder; $250 Matt Villa, Villa Lighting COO and former Alder; $100 Firefighters Local #73; $100 Sarah Martin, lobbyist and former Alder; $50 Jimmy Lappe, Mo AFL CIO program director and former Alder

Filed: Anthony M. “Tony” Kirchner
Campaign Website
Occupation: former Deputy Sheriff; former U.S. Navy
Residence: Bevo
Residence Tax Abated: No
Candidate MEC Committee
October 2024 Report: Limited Activity. Committee filed 09/13/2024.

Notes
1st Ward 2023 Primary Election: Anne Schweitzer 1,173; Tony Kirchner 1,088; Matt Kotraba 409
1st Ward 2023 General Election: Anne Schweitzer 1,614; Tony Kirchner 1,472
In that election, Kirchner was endorsed by former Sheriffs Vernon Betts and Jim Murphy, former Alder Jack Coatar, St. Louis Police Officers Association
13th Ward 2021 Primary Election: Anne Schweitzer 1318; Beth Murphy 744
13th Ward 2021 General Election: Anne Schweitzer 1497; Beth Murphy 885

Third Ward

Filed: Shane Cohn
Incumbent Voting Records- Board Bills
Campaign website (have not found one)
Occupation: Alder; owner of 4664 Tennessee LLC, investment and redevelopment of real estate
Residence: Dutchtown
Residence Tax Abated: No
Candidate MEC Committee
October 2024 Report: $14,505.14 on hand, no debt. Donors of Note: $2,600 South Side Property LLC; $500 IBEW; $500 Jon Chen, Urban Eats owner; $500 Associated General Contractors of Mo PAC; $250 Matthew McBride, corporate welfare attorney, serves on many economic development boards; $150 Sean Spencer, Tower Grove CDC executive director; $102 Richard Callow, Public Eye owner; $100 Scott Intagliata, Charter Commission secretary and Unico + other businesses owner. Same report was filed by mistake for 25th Ward Regular Democratic Club.
Candidate MEC PAC: STL Neighbors United for Progress PAC
October 2024 Report: Committee created 11/05/2024, no reports yet

Filed: Inez M. Bordeaux
Campaign website
Occupation: former Deputy Director of Community Collaborations, ArchCity Defenders; owner of Highfalutin LLC
Residence: Mount Pleasant
Residence Tax Abated: No
Candidate MEC Committee
October 2024 Report. Committee created 11/19/2024, no reports yet

Filed: Dallas Nicole Adams
Campaign website
Occupation: former Communications Manager for Metropolitan Parks & Recreation District (tax district dba Great Rivers Greenway, had a seat via job on Seed St. Louis Board, which moved to Delmar Divine)
Residence: Dutchtown
Residence Tax Abated: No
Candidate MEC Committee
October 2024 Report. Committee created 12/02/2024, no reports yet

Notes
3rd Ward 2023 Primary Election: Shane Cohn 410, no opponent
3rd Ward 2023 General Election: Shane Cohn 827, no opponent
25th Ward 2017 Primary Election: Shane Cohn 858, no opponent
25th Ward 2017 General Election: Shane Cohn 981, no opponent

5th Ward

Incumbent NOT Running: Joseph “Joe” Vollmer, has endorsed Matthew Devoti
Incumbent Voting Records- Board Bills
Campaign website
Occupation: owner of Milo’s Bocce Garden; co-owner TLJ Investments (funeral home); owner of TLSJ (commercial real estate); landlord
Residence: The Hill
Residence Tax Abated: No
Candidate MEC Committee
October 2024 Report. $3,105 on hand; no debt. No contributions received for period.

Filed: Matthew Devoti
Campaign website
Occupation: personal injury attorney; serves on 22nd Circuit Judicial Commission
Residence: The Hill
Residence Tax Abated: Yes
Candidate MEC Committee
October 2024 Report. $4,996.66; no debt. Donors of Note: $2,600 Jim Heine, retiree in Boerne TX; $1,000 Bonnie Devoti, candidate’s mother

Notes
5th Ward 2023 Primary Election: Joe Vollmer 1,533; Helen Petty 990
5th Ward 2023 General Election: Joe Vollmer 2,177; Helen Petty 1,580
10th Ward 2019 Primary Election: Joe Vollmer 968; Pat Hickey 623
10th Ward 2019 General Election: Joe Vollmer 700

7th Ward

Filed: Alisha Sonnier
Incumbent Voting Records- Board Bills
Campaign Website
Residence: Tower Grove East
Residence Tax Abated: No
Occupation: former mental health advocate at Cigna; campaign staffer, 2022 paid total of $1,975 as “Political Director” by Board President Megan Green’s candidate committee; also paid $1,000 on 04/04/2023 (general election day, the day Sonnier was elected Alder) for “Win bonus” by Board President Megan Green’s candidate committee
Other Politics: 2021-23 St. Louis City School Board, appointed by Mayor Tishaura Jones
Candidate MEC Committee
October 2024 Report. $2,601.44 on hand; no debt. Donors of Note: $500 Kelvin Adams, president of St. Louis Community Foundation and former Superintendent of St. Louis Public Schools; $250 Shilpa Patel, Hotel Avyan/real estate; $200 total Scott Intagliata, Charter Commission secretary and Unico + other businesses owner; $100 Richard Callow, Public Eye owner

Filed: Cedric L. Redmon Jr
Campaign Website
Residence: Benton Park West; his Linkedin account says he is in Florissant
Residence Tax Abated: No
Occupation: musician; 2020-2021 spy plane advocate, may have lobbied for pay without registering as lobbyist
Others Politics: 2023 candidate for Alder; 2019 candidate for 6th Ward Alder, one of two candidates
Candidate MEC Committee
October 2024 Report: No committee created yet

Notes
7th Ward 2023 Primary Election: Alisha Sonnier 1,108; J.P. Mitchom 731; Cedric Redmon 643
7th Ward 2023 General Election: Alisha Sonnier 1,470 ; J.P. Mitchom 933
6th Ward 2019 Primary Election: Christine Ingrassia 930; Cedric Redmon 412; Debra Carnahan 590; Henry Gray 179
6th Ward 2019 General Election: Christine Ingrassia 969; Michael Hebron 199

9th Ward

Filed: Michael Browning
Incumbent Voting Records- Board Bills
Campaign Website
Residence: Forest Park Southeast
Residence Tax Abated: No
Occupation: former senior grant specialist at Washington University School of Medicine (but still identified as employed by Washington University on some but not all donations he made in 2024); former vice president of Forest Park Southwest Neighborhood Association
Candidate MEC Committee
October 2024 Report. $2,601.44 on hand, no debt. Donors of Note: $500 Associated General Contractors of Mo PAC; $250 Sean Spencer, Tower Grove CDC executive director; $200 Tom Brackman, retired attorney, serves on Waterman Lake tax district; $180 Karen Presley Karabell, SF Shannon partner (vacation & long-term rentals); $100 Katharyn Davis, real estate attorney; $100 Richard Callow, Public Eye owner

Notes
9th Ward 2023 Primary Election: Michael Browning 1,007; former 17th Ward Alder Tina Pihl 876; former 28th Ward Alder Michael Gras 868 (election following redistricting with ward consolidation, from 28 wards to 14)
9th Ward 2023 General Election: Michael Browning 1,773; former 17th Ward Alder Tina Pihl 1,027

11th Ward

Filed: Laura Keys
Incumbent Voting Records- Board Bills
Campaign Website
Residence: O’Fallon
Residence Tax Abated: No
Occupation: Alder; landlord; owner Able Hands In-Home Health Services of Missouri LLC; owner Missouri DNA & Drug Testing Centers, LLC; owner Secure Identity Fingerprinting LLC; owner St. Louis Fingerprints LLC; owner Residential Maid Service LLC
Candidate MEC Committee:
December 2024 Report: $1,381.97 on hand, no debt. $621.13 total in reimbursements to James Keyes, husband
October 2024 Report: $3,729.50 on hand, no debt. Donor of Note: $2,000 from Ring the Bell PAC (PAC not filed with MEC) @ Crown Mart, 4501 Union

Filed: Melinda L. Long
Campaign Website (have not found one)
Residence: O’Fallon
Residence Tax Abated: No
Occupation: former Alder 2001-2002; insurance agent; owner United Health, Accident & Life (UHAL) LLC Ins. Agency; The O’Fallon Block Link LLC; administratively dissolved Fellowship Foundation Organization
Candidate MEC Committee
October 2024 Report: No committee created yet

Filed: Rebecca I. McLoud
Campaign Website (have not found one)
Residence: O’Fallon
Residence Tax Abated: No
Occupation: insurance agent; former Board Secretary, O’Fallon Community Developing Organization
Candidate MEC Committee
October 2024 Report: No committee created yet

Notes
11th Ward 2023 Primary Election: Laura Keys 568; Carla Wright 312
11th Ward 2023 General Election: Laura Keys 782; Carla Wright 335
21st Ward 2017 Primary Election: John Collins-Muhammad 812; Laura Keys 783; Marlene Buckley 227
21st Ward 2017 General Election: John Collins-Muhammad 1406; Marty Spikener 107

13th Ward

Filed: Pamela Boyd
Incumbent Voting Records- Board Bills
Campaign Website
Residence: Walnut Park West
Residence Tax Abated: No
Occupation: Alder; was or is certified dietary manager at The Valley Stonebridge Community skilled nursing facility
Candidate MEC Committee:
October 2024 Report. $5,625.73 on hand; no debt. No itemized donors this period.

Notes
13th Ward 2023 Primary Election: Pamela Boyd 751; Norma Walker 506; former Alder Lisa Middlebrook 390
13th Ward 2023 General Election: Pamela Boyd 984; Norma Walker 839
27th Ward 2017 Primary Election: Pam Boyd, 800; Keena Carter 635; Ciera Simril 228
27th Ward 2017 General Election: Pam Boyd 1280; Antree Spikener 117

Aldergeddon: New 7th Ward

Map for New 7th Ward, St. Louis City

The new St. Louis City 7th Ward includes parts of current 6th, 9th, 15th, 17th Wards, and other Wards, and is the result of Census Redistricting and Ward Reduction.

All 14 New Ward Profiles here.

Candidate Forum: February 8, 2023 7th Ward Alder Candidate Forum (YouTube) sponsored by Rung for Women STL

Candidate Forum: Live Tweeting Thread by Chelsea Merta of February 8, 2023 7th Ward Candidate Forum

2023 Alder Primary Results

18+ Population: 16,671
Registered Voters: 13,918 (83.48% Registered)
Total Ballots Cast: 1,822 (13.09% Turnout)
Total Votes Cast for Alder candidates:  2,482 – In St. Louis City Municipal Primary Elections, voters may vote for as many candidates as they want with top two advancing to General Election.
Board President
Megan Green: 1,456
Alder Candidates
Cedric Redmon: 643
J.P. Mitchom: 731
Alisha Sonnier: 1,1108

2023 Alder General Election

7th Ward Alder Candidate Alisha Sonnier
Neighborhood: Tower Grove East
Residence Tax Abated: No
Occupation: mental health advocate at Cigna
Other Elected Office: Member of St. Louis School Board
2023 Alder Primary: 1st place of 3 candidate, 1,1108 Votes of 2,482
Campaign Finance
March 2023 Report: $23,846 raised ($5,200 LIUNA, $2,600 developer Mayo Aiyelokum, $2,600 Carpenters, $1,000 IAFF 73, $1,000 developer Michael Schwartz, $1,000 David Roberts, $1,000 SEIU, $1,000 Pathways United, $800 Eighth Ward Independent Democratic Assn, $750 Pro Choice Mo, $500 Sheetmetal Workers, $250 Sierra Club, $250 Building Trades); $19.884 spent ($9,025.87 MO Political Consulting); $17,825.49 on hand; $0 debt
February 2023 Report: $19,255 raised ($2,600 UNITE HERE, $1,000 Maxine Clark, $500 SEIU State, $500 SEIU Healthcare, $1,000 Laborers 42, $1,000 Laborers 110, $100 from the author of this blog); $10,513.79 spent ($5,197.87 MO Political Consulting); $13,863.78 on hand; $0 debt
January 2023 Report #2: $2,664 raised ($100 Alder Christine Ingrassia, $100 STL County Councilwoman Lisa Clancy), $6,546.55 spent ($6,335.52 to MO Political Consulting), $5,122.57 on hand, $0 debt
January 2023 Report #1: $11,430 raised (donors included City Treasurer Adam Layne, 15th Ward Dem Committeewoman Karisa Gilman-Hernandez, Meramec Township Dem Committeeman Brian Wingbermuehle), $2,796.60 spent, $8,633.40 on hand, $0 debt
Treasurer: Vanessa Carroll (6th Ward Committeewoman)

7th Ward Alder Candidate Jon-Pierre Mitchom
Neighborhood: Tiffany
Residence Tax Abated: No
Occupation: director of Equity and Inclusion at STL Priory School
2023 Alder Primary: 2nd place of 3 candidates, 731 Votes of 2,482
Campaign Finance
March 2023 Report Amended: added three donors including $2,600 from Phoebe Smith (wife of developer Steve Smith) and $2,500 from David Farr (former CEO Emerson Electric). New totals: $14,501.35 raised; $2,582.45 spent; $17,498.35 on hand; $0 debt
March 2023 Report: $8,901.35 raised ($4,001.35 attorney Jerry Schlichter, $2,600 GSL @ Metro Square- probably 21st Century St. Louis PAC/Civic Progress, $500 fmr Supply Commissioner Freddie Dunlap, $250 former Mayor Vince Schoemehl, $250 17th Ward Committeeman Bob Hilgemann); $2,582.45 spent ($102.25 MEC late fees, $3,826.45 Kelley Group/Show Me Victories); $11,898.35 on hand; $0 debt
February 2023 Report: $6,562.0 raised ($1,500 The LOUPAC, $500 former 11th Ward Alder Matt Villa, $200 former 1st Ward Alder Irene Smith); $3,427.02 spent ($599 Inbound Blend Digital Marketing); $5,579.45 on hand; $0 debt
January 2023 Report #2: $1,150 raised, $2,349.91 spent, $2,444.47 on hand, $0 debt
January 2023 Report #1: $5,318 raised (donors included former 17th Ward Alder Joe Roddy, former State Senator Jeff Smith), $1,673.62 spent, $3,644.38 on hand, $0 debt
Treasurer: Kaishla Davie (owner of Kindness & Love LLC)

2023 Primary- Other Alder Candidates

7th Ward Alder Candidate Cedric “C-Sharp” Redmon
Neighborhood: Fox Park
Residence Tax Abated: No
Occupation: musician, his Linkedin account says he is in Florissant
Other Elected Office: former candidate for 6th Ward Alder 2019
2023 Alder Primary: 3rd place of 3 candidates, 643 Votes of 2,482
Campaign Finance
Terminated committee 03/22/2023
February 2023 Report: $1,475 raised ($500 former 20th Ward Committeeman Dale Sweet); $1,112.99 spent; $1,698 on hand; $0 debt
January 2023 Report Amended: Herschel Cooper donated, not Herschel Walker
January 2023 Report: $2,900 raised (no employer/occupation info for any donors, $150 Herschel Walker of Dallas), $1,564.01 spent, $1,335.99 on hand, $100 debt
Treasurer: self/Cedric Redmon

2023 Running for School Board

2023 School Board Candidate Sadie Weiss
Neighborhood: Tower Grove East
Residence Tax Abated: Yes, building is tax abated until 2025
Occupation: assistant director for Precollegiate Services, UMSL
Campaign Finance
March 2023 Report: $1,445 raised ($2,000 AFT 420, $250 St. Louis City Labor Legislature Club, $100 Public School Advocates PAC); $1,939.53 spent; $2,553.04 on hand; $0 debt
February 2023 Report Amended: same totals, something about ActBlue fees
February 2023 Report: $3,825 raised ($1,500 AFT 420); $877.43 spent; $2,947.57 on hand; $0 debt
Treasurer: Dorothy Rohde-Collins (former member of St. Louis City School Board)

Other Public Officials Residing In Ward

City Recorder of Deeds Michael Butler
Neighborhood: Gate District
Residence Tax Abated: No
Occupation: owner of Butler-Poole Logistics; owner of Digital Generation; owner of DiGen; owner of Open Concept bar; owner of Theta House bar; founder of administratively dissolved nonprofits 6th Ward PAC, St. Louis Leadership Foundation, People Powered; Democratic Action Network; Save St. Louis;
Party Office: former chair of Missouri Democratic Party; former St. Louis Democratic City Central Committee; former 6th Ward Committeeman
Other Elected Office: former State Rep
Notes: serves (with lobbyist Dave Sweeney) on Board of Communities First nonprofit founded by 3rd Ward Committeewoman Lucinda Frazier, Recorder Butler’s Chief Deputy Recorder
Campaign Finance
January 2023 Report: $0 raised, $0 spent, $5,953.72 on hand, $0 debt
November 2022 Report #2: $0 raised, $0 spent, $5,953.72 on hand, $0 debt
November 2022 Report #1: $0 raised, $0 spent, $5,953.72 on hand, $0 debt
October 2022 Report: $0 raised, $0 spent, $5,953.72 on hand, $0 debt
Treasurer: self/Michael Butler

School Board Member Alisha Sonnier
See 7th Ward Alder Candidate profile above

School Board Member Antionette “Toni” Cousins
Neighborhood: Gate District
Residence Tax Abated: No
Occupation: community outreach manager at Missouri Housing Development Commission 
Campaign Finance
January 2023 Report: Limited Activity
October 2022 Report: Limited Activity
July 2022 Report: Limited Activity
April 2022 Report: $0 raised, $5 spent, $2,646.68 on hand, $0 debt
Treasurer: Dionne Flowers (former 2nd Ward Alder; former City Register**

Accused rapist State Senator Steven Roberts
Neighborhood: Gate District
Residence Tax Abated: Yes
Occupation: attorney; Missouri Air National Guard JAG Corps
Other Elected Office: former State Rep
Genealogy: father is former Alder Steve Roberts (sponsor of Union Station development); mother is Dr. Eva Frazer M.D.; nephew of former Alder Mike Roberts
Campaign Finance
January 2023 Report: $6,550 raised ($1,500 from Humane Society of Mo), $13,116.01 spent, $9,245.42 on hand, $0 debt
October 2022 Report Amended: $9,278 raised, $1,307.56 spent, $12,711.43 on hand, $20,000 debt
October 2022 Report: $8,278 raised, $1,307.56 spent, $11,711.43 on hand, $20,000 debt
July 2022 Report Amended #2: $2,285 raised, $31,250.22 spent (including $30,000 loan payment), $5,140.99 on hand, $20,000 on debt
July 2022 Report Amended #1: $1,885 raised, $31,250.22 spent (including $30,000 loan payment), $4,740.99 on hand, $20,000 debt
Treasurer: James Hill (former treasurer for Board President Lewis Reed)

State Rep. Peter Merideth
Neighborhood: Tower Grove East
Residence Tax Abated: No
Occupation: attorney at Dearing Batten & Bauer, previously at Husch Blackwell
Genealogy: brother David Merideth is former School Board candidate
Campaign Finance
December 2022 Report: $2,845 raised, $755.51 spent, $35,626.48 on hand, $0 debt
November 2022 Report: $4,314.33 raised, $321.99 spent, $33,536.99 on hand, $0 debt
October 2022 Report: $2,845 raised, $755.51 spent, $35,626.48 on hand, $0 debt
Treasurer: Jennifer Merideth
Deputy Treasurer: John Merideth

Ward Committees (PACs)

New 7th Ward Democratic organization: None

New 7th Ward Republican organization: None

Current 6th Ward Democratic Organization
Campaign Finance
October 2022 Report: Limited Activity
May 2021 Report: $690.00 on hand, $0 debt
Treasurer: Melissa Korba
Deputy Treasurer & Chair: S.J. Creek (Metaphase Design Group)
President: Patricia  Barber

Current 6th Ward Republican organization: None

Political Party Committeepeople

Current 6th Ward Democratic Committeewoman Vanessa Carroll
Neighborhood: Tower Grove East
Resident Tax Abated: No
Occupation: current or former Build A Bear Workshop designer
Other Elected Office: Treasurer of Progress PAC for Board President Megan Ellyia Green; Treasurer for 7th Ward Alder Candidate Alisha Sonnier; former Treasurer for Alison Dreith for 6th Ward Democratic Committeewoman
Campaign Finance
January 2023 Report: Limited Activity
October 2022 Report: Limited Activity
January 2021 Report: $349.95 on hand, $0 debt

Current 6th Ward Democratic Committeeman– Vacant

Current 6th Ward Republican Committeewoman: Vacant

Current 6th Ward Republican Committeeman Michael Hebron
Neighborhood: Gate District
Residence Tax Abated: No
Occupation: facilities assistant at Benson Hill; realtor; security officer at Keystone Event Staffing
Other Elected Office: former candidate for 5th District Senator 2020; former candidate for 6th Ward Alder 2019;
Campaign Finance
* No party committeeman account filed at MEC

Former Public Officials

Former 6th Ward Alder Christine Ingrassia
Neighborhood: Tower Grove East
Residence Tax Abated: No
Occupation: Director of Operations for Board of Alders President;  former paddle guide for Big Muddy Adventures
Campaign Finance
January 2023 Report: Limited Activity
October 2022 Report: Limited Activity
Previous Report with activity- July 2019 Report: $1,639.31 raised, $837.60 spent, $2,474.33 on hand, $5,800 debt
Treasurer: self/Christine Ingrassia


* Political Party County Central Committee ward and township committeepeople have the option to file their campaign finance reports with their county election authority- Board of Election Commissioners in the case of St. Louis City- or online with Missouri Ethics Commission. The St. Louis City Board of Election once posted pdfs of ward committeepeople campaign finance reports to the Board’s website. That is no longer the case. To inspect records, you must visit the Board in person.

**Appointed by Mayor Lyda Krewson. The City Register is a county office as well as municipal office under state law, the County Clerk where applicable.