Post-Election New 2nd Ward Profile Update

2nd Ward Alder Tom Oldenburg, City of St. Louis

This blog’s Profile page for St. Louis City’s New 2nd Ward has been updated with General Election results (all candidates and ballot issues) and post-election campaign finance reports filed with Missouri Ethics Commission.

You’ll notice that the winning Alder candidate is now listed under Public Officials Residing In New 2nd Ward and defeated candidate information has been moved toward bottom of the page. Eventually, the General and Primary Election info will move above those.

Also have added link to Neighborhoods in the new ward.

Winner of the April 4th Alder election in New 2nd Ward is U.S. Bank community development banker Tom Oldenburg, former 16th Ward Alder. Oldenburg came in first during the three candidate Primary and in the General Election earned 2,205 votes (59.76%).

Oldenburg filed one report in April. He raised another $10,565.26 including $4,400 from Labor Unions and $1,000 from Commerce Bank, $1,000 from attorney Jerry Schlichter, $500 each from Associated General Contractors and Missouri Restaurant Association, and $250 each from St. Louis Police Leadership Organization (sergeants and above) and former Mayor Lyda Krewson. He spent another $31,130 including $21,124.66 to Kelley Group/Show Me Victories. He has $18,857 on hand and $0 debt.

In addition to the contribution from the Police Leadership group, Oldenburg accepted $1,000 from St. Louis Police Officers Association in January.

Oldenburg’s General Election opponent, former police officer Phill Menendez, received no contributions from police groups. He earned 1,439 votes (39.00%) in the General Election. His April MEC report shows another $1,012.55 raised and $1,456.95 spent, including $185.50 raised from a raffle at The Christy that he paid $434.71 for catering. He has $2,605.39 on hand and $0 debt.

Katie Bellis, the third candidate for 2nd Ward Alder, the candidate who did not make it to the General Election, terminated her campaign committee this month. She spent $11,237.24, including $4,000 owed Dani Revord, $1,250 for campaign management by Morgan Lowe, and $1,287.50 to We Are Novella for graphic design.

82nd District State Rep. Donna Baringer, a resident of St. Louis Hills Neighborhood of New 2nd Ward and former 16th Ward Alder, filed an April Report showing $160 raised; $2,229 spent; $62,494.94 on hand; $0 debt. Baringer is term limited and cannot run in 2024. What to do with that campaign war chest?

Baringer’s next run would probably be citywide in 2024 for a county office, not a return to Board of Alders. It makes little sense financially now for Oldenburg to swap the new $72,000 municipal legislative salary for a $35,915 state legislative salary.

New 2nd Ward Regular Democratic Organization filed a hot mess for an April Report. They deleted their beginning balance, the previous $1,589.07 on hand, for new cycle. Just made it disappear. They raised $772 plus reported $636.94 In-Kind from Alder Oldenburg’s campaign committee. Then, under Miscellaneous Receipts, they reported the $1,117.07 transferred from old 16th Ward Democratic Organization and already reported by them in January.

Old 14th Ward Democratic Organization filed a Limited Activity Report for April.

The Republicans have no new ward organization in New 2nd Ward nor old ward organizations in Old 14th or 16th Wards.

Old 14th Ward Committeeman Matt Bell and Old 16th Ward Democratic Committeeman Steve Lenivy (also treasurer for St. Louis Democratic City Central Committee) both filed Limited Activity Reports. Both live in the Southampton Neighborhood in New 5th Ward.

Ward Profiles Updated

Old black and white photo of St. Louis City Hall

As St. Louis City election returns come in, you can check your ward to see who legally bought access to the Board President and your new Alder here.

Campaign finance laws are completely useless under a system that allows legal money laundering, and makes conflict of interest laws a moot point, and a culture of ignoring the ethical lapses of leaders in order to feel like part of a winning team.

School Board Candidate Profiles Updated

Benjamin Banneker Elementary, a school for Black children in circa 1900 segregated St. Louis City. Banneker was an African American astronomer, mathematician, and architect, Photo located at Missouri History Museum.

Two St. Louis City Pubic School Board candidate profiles have been updated with 8 Days Out campaign finance report information. Tracy Hykes and Sadie Weiss submitted their required information to Missouri Ethics Commission. You can find their information here.

Hykes and Weiss have been endorsed by American Federal of Teachers Local 420.

Candidate Jaile’Shawn Quinones did not file a committee with MEC.

Next Tuesday, City voters will elect two new School Board Members.  No excuse Absentee Voting (what Missouri calls early voting) is currently available at four locations.

School Board Candidates Added to New Ward Profiles

Kindergarten class at L’Ouverture School (Colored School No. 4), ca. 1895. Missouri Historical Society Collections.

April 4th is a Municipal General Election in the City of St. Louis. Voters will choose two new School Board members from three candidates. These candidates have been added to the New Ward Profiles under Other Candidates.

New 7th Ward: Sadie Weiss

New 10th Ward: Tracy Hykes

New 13th Ward: Jaile’Shawn Quinones

Links to Current School Board Members profiles are here.

April 4th, Voters will also elect a President of the Board of Alders and 14 Alders in redistricted wards, the first ward reduction election.

March 8th is the last day to register for April 4th General Election.

March 21st is the first day for no excuse needed absentee voting.

More information on the April 4th General Election and absentee voting at the Board of Election.