Tag: Jack Coatar

13th Ward Profile, St. Louis City

13th Ward Map

St. Louis City’s 13th Ward includes parts of old 2nd, 22nd, 27th Wards, and other Wards, and is the result of Census Redistricting and Ward Reduction.

Previous Elections

Each ward is now double the population and geographically much larger. That’s an important consideration when looking at past election results.

13th Ward 2023 General Election: Pamela Boyd 984; Norma Walker 839
13th Ward 2023 Primary Election: Pamela Boyd 751; Norma Walker 506; former Alder Lisa Middlebrook 390
27th Ward 2021 General Election: Pamela Boyd 815; Chris Carter 664
27th Ward 2021 Primary Election: Pamela Boyd 603; Chris Carter 518; Mary Ann Jackson 161
27th Ward 2017 General Election: Pamela Boyd 1,280; Antree Spikener 117
27th Ward 2017 Primary Election: Pamela Boyd, 800; Keena Carter 635; Ciera Simril 228

2025 Election

Alder Pamela Boyd
Elected Alder: 2017, 2021, 2023
Previous Campaigns: 2013 ran for Alder
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
Political Genealogy: mother of School Board President Toni Cousins; no relation to former Alder Jeffrey Boyd
Candidate MEC Committee
Treasurer: Brenda Montgomery, Ferguson, works at Normandy School District
January 2025 Report
$5,589.63 on hand; $0 debt
+ Raised $6,975: $2,600 21st Century St Louis PAC (Greater St. Louis); $2,600 Jerry Schlichter, attorney, Schlichter Bogard, Missouri State Historic Tax Credit advocate; $500 Spire PAC; $300 Iron Workers Local NO. 396 Voluntary Fund; $250 David C. Walters, president HY-C, owner Westwood Progress LLC owner, identified instead in report as Affinia Healthcare Board Member; $250 Protect Missouri Workers PAC
– Spent $7,011.60: $3,002 total Steve Engelhardt, fundraising, former communications director for Congressman Lacy Clay; $1,605.04 total Mark’s Quick Printing; $960.27 total RingCentral; $600.15 total Constant Contact
October 2024 Report
$5,625.73 on hand, $0 debt
+ Raised $500: $0 itemized
– Spent $2,047.78: $667.20 total RingCentral; $477 total Constant Contact
July 2024 Report
$7,173.45 on hand, $0 debt
+ Raised $7,000.06: $2,000 Jay R. Johnson, owner Greenworks Construction; $1,000 LIUNA Local 110; $1,000 Laborers’ Int Union Local 42 PAC Fund; $1,000 Clifford Franklin, owner FUSE advertising; $500 David Sweeney, attorney @ Lewis Rice, corporate welfare lobbyist; $300 Electrical Workers Voluntary Political Education & Legislative Funds – Missouri; $250 Jarrod Holst, attorney and owner 1904Group apartment developer; $250 David C. Walters, president HY-C, owner Westwood Progress LLC owner, identified instead in report as Affinia Healthcare Board Member; $250 St Louis City Legislative Club PAC.
– Spent $2,430.82: $1,253.47 total Constant Contact; $465 total Mark’s Quick Printing
April 2024 Report
$2,604.21 on hand, $0 debt
+ Raised $3,231.45: $2,600 South Side Property LLC (gas stations, Munji Abdeljabbar); $200 AFT Local 420
– Spent $2,731.45: $1,366.63 total Mark’s Quick Printing; $343.91 total Constant Contact
– Refunds: $500 Northway Market LLC (one of the Almuttan Brothers businesses)
January 2024 Report
$3,035.63 on hand; $0 debt
+ Raised $3,650: $1,000 Northway Market LLC (one of the Almuttan Brothers businesses); $250 Darryl A. Piggee, attorney @ Stone Leyton, former lobbyist for Rebuild St. Louis, Chief of Staff former Congressman Lacy Clay; $250 Paul T. Reid, Postal Workers Union; $250 Patricia Hofer, property manager; $200 Alder Laura Keys; $200 LeRoy Grant, lobbyist
– Spent $ 758.09: $465 Constant Contact
October 2023 Report
$143.69 on hand; $0 debt
+ Raised $1,200: $500 Associated General Contractors of Missouri; Nexus PAC (MAGA PAC that legally launders money for Rex Sinquefield and others, run by Matt McBride, Lashly Baer); $500 $200 Ryan Thomas LLC
– Spent $4,536.85: $1,200 total campaign worker Nona Thomson (address is a vacant lot in Spanish Lake); $900 Caring Plus, tickets
– Refunds $4,750: $2,600 South Side Property LLC (gas stations, Munji Abdeljabbar); $1,000 Eagle Foods LLC; $500 Ryan Thomas LLC; $500 R & A LLC; $150 Evergreen Resimercial Realty
July 2023 Report
$8,227.52 on hand; $0 debt (no report shows the $1,700 debt to herself being paid back or forgiven)
+ Raised $2.13 interest
– Spent $3,364.06: $1,372.91 Allmail USA Inc; $1,041.15 Mark’s Quick Printing; $600 campaign worker Nona Thomson (address is a vacant lot in Spanish Lake); $250 Constant Contact
Amended April 2023 #3 Report
$11,589.45 on hand; $1,700 debt to herself
+ Raised $8,175: $2,600 Leadership Counts; $2,000 Steve Stone, attorney @ Stone Leyton, Paul McKee’s attorney, Globe Building owner; $1,000 TheLouPAC; $1,000 total Brenda Montgomery, Normandy teacher, candidate’s MEC Treasurer; $500 former Alder Jack Coatar, attorney, now consultant in Florida; $500 Jeff Rainford, lobbyist for Bob Clark and others, Chief of Staff for former Mayor Francis Slay; $275 Rodney Hubbard (report says “retired,” not sure if this is lobbyist Rodney Hubbard Jr married to Alder Shameen Clark-Hubbard, address suggests that is the one, or Rodney Hubbard Sr. of Carr Square Tenant Organization ARPA money fame)
– Spent $7,716.18: $5,000 Media Magic; $2,250 George Poole, campaign worker
April 2023 Report #3
minus a few contributions and expenses, same as Amended April 2023 #3 Report
April 2023 Report #2
Limited Activity
April 2023 Report #1
$11,130.63 on hand; $1,700 debt to herself
+ Raised $2,900: $2,600 Laborers Int Union Local PAC Fund; $300 Sprinkler Fitters Political Education & Legislative Committee
– Spent $2,366.55: $1,415.90 Mark’s Quick Printing; $760 total  George Poole, campaign work
March 2023 Report
$10,596.60 on hand; $1,700 debt to herself
+ Raised $15,400.43: $2,600 21st Century St. Louis PAC (Greater St. Louis); $2,600 LIUNA 42; $2,500 Jerry Schlichter, attorney, Schlichter Bogard, Missouri State Historic Tax Credit advocate; $1,000 Spire PAC; $1,000 IAFF 73; $500 Realtors PAC; $500 David Sweeney, corporate welfare and tax district attorney & lobbyist; $300 Operating Engineers 513
– Spent $12,273.06 spent: $2,150 total for George Poole, campaign work
February 2023 Report #2
$7,469.23 on hand; $1,700 debt to herself
+ Raised $7,950 raised: $2,600 21st Century STL (Greater St. Louis); $1,000 LIUNA Local 110; $1,000 LIUNA Local 42; $250 State Rep. Steve Butz; $250 former Mayor Vince Schoemehl
February 2023 Report #1
$2,644.11 on hand; $1,700 debt to herself
+ Raised $7,328.12: $2,600 MidAmerica Carpenters PAC; $1,700 loan from the candidate; $300 former State Rep. Josh Peters; $125 Glaziers Local 513 PAC
– Spent $7,883.85
January 2023 Report #2
$3,199.84 on hand; $0 debt
+ Raised $0
– Spent $765.19
January 2023 Report #1
$3,965.03 on hand; $0 debt
+ Raised $1,052.77: $500 Jeff Rainford, lobbyist for Bob Clark and others, Chief of Staff for former Mayor Francis Slay
– Spent $1,089.95
October 2022 Report
$4,002.21 on hand, $0 debt
+ Raised $2,956.04
– Spent $340
Contributions to Other Campaigns
2023- $100 State Rep Steve Butz; $50 former Sheriff Vernon Betts
2022- $100 Alder Laura Keys
2021- $200 former Board President Lewis Reed; $100 School Board member Toni Cousins (daughter)
2020- $100 former Alder Jeffrey Boyd; $100 accused rapist State Senator Steven Roberts

No 2025 Opponent

Political Party Information

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Democratic Committeewoman
Democratic Committeeman

Democratic Ward Organizations

Republican Committeewoman
Republican Committeewman

Republican Ward Organizations

STL City Circuit Atty Race: Money & More

Black and white photo of entry to St. Louis City Circuit Attorney's Office in Mel Carnahan Courthouse.

Last Updated 7/23/2023

We don’t have to worry about former 7th Ward Alder Jack Coatar running for St. Louis City Circuit Attorney in 2024. He will just peddle his former elected office experience and connections at Spencer Fane.

Coatar, last year’s defeated (not even close) Board President candidate, who then did not run for Alder re-election last Spring, has a mere $7,666.46 in his account at Missouri Ethics Commission (MEC).

The account is identified for ‘Citywide Office City of St. Louis.’ He has to declare that he’s running for something, even generically, to maintain the committee and spend down the money on subscriptions and food. He might be waiting for Alder Cara Spencer to screw up and run in New 8th Ward, but Circuit Attorney definitely out.

In his April and amended MEC reports, Coatar’s committee shows contributions returned: $2,500 from Vinson One LLC and $2,500 from Ice House Master. Vinson One is connected to corporate welfare aficionado, Lux Living developer, slumlord, Vic Alston. Ice House “Master” is not found in the Missouri Secretary of State’s Business Search. It’s a good guess this is an account associated with the Ice House development in Soulard, Coatar’s home neighborhood. The Ice House and adjacent Steelyards (75% tax abatement for 10 years, sales tax exemption on construction materials, which Coatar sponsored), were projects by Alston and Sid Chakraverty, his brother, sold shortly after completion and now operate under the name Steelyard Apartments.

More important, Jack PAC was dissolved in May. But not without intrigue. The PAC donated its last $4,743.27 to Equity Initiative Inc., a vague public benefit nonprofit formed in February of this year by Nancy Rice with Labor attorneys Sam Gladney and Ron Gladney.

Per Articles of Incorporation, in the event the organization dissolves, remaining funds are to go to a “an organization with a similar purpose, or to The Backstoppers Inc police officers and firefighters fund.” I could not find any other information on the nonprofit other than the Incorporation.

St. Louisans should recognize Rice’s name from her many years as political advisor to former Mayor (worst ever) Vince Schoemehl and for rich beyond our imaginations, privatization champion Rex Sinquefield, Missouri’s answer to the Koch Brothers, including her serving as executive director of the St. Louis City re-entry into St. Louis County plan (disaster)- Better Together (Better for Stenger).

Sam Gladney serves as a Commissioner on Bi-State Development Agency, the St. Louis area’s anti-bus, awful public transit agency. Gladney worked with lobbyist Jane Dueker, Michael Kelley of political consultant Kelley Group, and others on the short lived dark money Rebuild Saint Louis effort for airport privatization.

Current Circuit Attorney Gabriel Gore has not filed a committee with MEC. Appointed in May by Governor Mike Parson to the fill the vacancy after resignation of Circuit Attorney Kim Gardener, Gore has not ruled out running for the office. Gore previously practiced law at Dowd Bennett, where former U.S. Senator Jack Danforth and former Governor Jay Nixon hang their hats. Gore served on the Ferguson Commission (along with now 14th Ward Alder Rasheen Aldridge), appointed by Nixon, and worked with Danforth on his Waco Commission.

Former Circuit Attorney Kim Gardener is obviously not running. Her MEC account says she is, but that’s a formality to spend down $98,176.74. Some good things could be done with that money.

Accused rapist Steve Roberts Jr. and his family tried and failed to get him the appointment to fill the Circuit Attorney vacancy but they seem to be working on a run for Circuit Attorney. His MEC account is still designated for re-election to his State Senate seat.

Roberts Jr.’s July Report shows only one contribution, $1,000 in May from the STL Democratic Coalition, a political action committee (legal money laundry), or otherwise he would not have been able to pay bills. He has a scant $253.42 on hand and is $20,000 in debt. In March, his parents donated $1,900, to help keep his failing political career afloat.

State Senator Karla May, a supporter and close ally of accused rapist Roberts Jr., is seeking the Democratic nomination for U.S. Senate. This creates an opportunity for a 2024 slate to help Roberts Jr. I do not yet see a committee filed with Federal Election Commission for her. Other Democratic candidates running for the U.S. Senate seat are Lucas Kunce, a U.S. Senate primary loser in 2022, and St. Louis County Circuit Attorney Wesley Bell.

May’s State Senate MEC committee is delinquent filing her July Report. Her April Report, late, showed $0 contributions, $17,677.56 expenses (including $908.05 in late fees to MEC), $15,145.59 on hand. May is also a Democratic Committeewoman and Chair of the St. Louis Democratic City Central Committee. She has filed Limited Activity reports for her Committeewoman account since 2019.

Former Alder Michael Gras sought the appointment to fill Circuit Attorney vacancy but has not amended his MEC account to reflect candidacy in the 2024 election. He filed Limited Activity quarterly reports for July and April. His April 30 Days After Election Report shows has $2,813 on hand and has $5,167.05 in debt including loans from himself.

The only announced candidate for Circuit Attorney with a MEC account to run for the office is David Mueller, a defense attorney who lives in Tower Grove South, 6th Ward. His treasurer is Whitney Panneton, Senior Director at JLL Value and Risk Advisory. Jillian Meek Mueller, the candidate’s wife, is an employer-side litigation attorney at Jackson Lewis where her bio page is now locked. She represented St. Louis County Prosecutor Wesley Bell in an effort to prevent assistant prosecutors and investigators from joining the St. Louis Police Officers Association for collective bargaining purposes.

Candidate Mueller’s July Report shows $24,975.39 in contributions, including $6,895 in-kind from Dresden Capital, which is Luke Reynolds, owner of Molly’s in Soulard. Mueller has $11,784.25 on hand.

Reynolds serves as Chair of (consistent Transparency Fail) Soulard Special Business District, a property tax district that pays for private policing, and is Vice-Chair of Soulard Community Improvement District, a sales tax special district (and another consistent Transparency Fail).

The law firm Rogers, Sevastino, Bante raised $2,250 for Mueller. John P. Rogers of the firm is Luke Reynolds’s lawyer.

Attorney Terence Niehoff gave $500 to Mueller. He was treasurer for Jack PAC. His office is in Soulard. There’s another $1,000 in Soulard-related contributions, all former donors to Coatar. Political consultant Michael Kelley gave $250 to Mueller.

Coatar is not running for Circuit Attorney. Mueller is inheriting supporters from him.

New 8th Ward Alder Candidate Forum Tonight

6 pm Tonight/Thursday New 8th Ward Alder Candidate Forum at Epiphany UCC Church, 2911 McNair, Benton Park.

Moderated by St. Louis League of Women Voters.

Unfortunately, it will only be streamed on Book of Faces

Submit questions in advance.

New 8th Ward stretches down the City’s Mississippi Riverfront from Near North to Bellerive Park in Carondelet. It includes parts of current 5th, 6th, 7th, 9th, 11th, 20th, and 25th Wards and is the result of Census Redistricting and Ward Reduction.

Candidates for New 8th Ward Alder include:

Shedrick “Nato Caliph” Kelley lives in McKinley Heights and is a financial analyst at Wells Fargo and hip hop artist/emcee. In 2021, Kelley came within 134 votes (5.5%) of beating incumbent Old 7th Ward Alder Jack Coatar, who is sitting out this election.

Coatar lives in Soulard and is an attorney at Spencer Fane’s Litigation, Governmental Affairs, and Real Estate Practice. He lost a bid for higher office last November, running for Board of Alder President against Old 15th Ward Alder Megan Green. Green won by 1,417 votes (5.5%). Coatar barely won in his home ward, New 8th Ward, by 118 votes.

Old 20th Ward Alder Cara Spencer lives in Gravois Park and is senior vice president for Community and Economic Development at St. Louis Bank. She ran for Mayor in 2021, losing to Treasurer Tishaura Jones by 2,301 votes (5%).

Former Old 9th Ward Alder Ken Ortmann lives in Benton Park and owns a bar in Soulard. He lost his 2021 re-election bid to Dan Guenther by 674 votes (31.1%). Old 9th Ward Alder Guenther, also of Benton Park, chose not to run in this year.

Also see New 8th Ward Profile for information on candidate campaign finances.

Aldergeddon: New 8th Ward

New 8th Ward Map, St. Louis City

The new St. Louis City 8th Ward stretches down the City’s Mississippi Riverfront from Near North to Bellerive Park in Carondelet. It includes parts of current 5th, 6th, 7th, 9th, 11th, 20th, and 25th Wards and is the result of Census Redistricting and Ward Reduction.

All 14 New Ward Profiles here.

2023 Alder Primary Results

18+ Population: 18,173
Registered Voters: 12,997 (71.51% Registered)
Total Ballots Cast: 1,989 (15.3% Turnout)
Total Votes Cast, Approval Voting:  2,560 – 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: 1,364
Alder Candidates
Shedrick Kelley: 506
Ken Ortmann: 858
Cara Spencer: 1,469

2023 Alder General Election

Current 20th Ward Alder Cara Spencer
Neighborhood: Gravois Park
Residence Tax Abated: No
Occupation: senior vice president for Community and Economic Development at St. Louis Bank; former executive director for Consumers Council of Missouri; former director of business development at South Side Spaces and Nebula Coworking; former director of Strategic Analytics & Epidemiology at Tessellon pharmaceutical marketing; former consultant at The Mattson Jack Group pharmaceutical consulting
Other Elected Office: former candidate for Mayor
2023 Alder Primary: 1st place of 3 candidates, 1,469 Votes of 2,560
Campaign Finance
March 2023 Report: $34,497 raised ( $5,200 21st Century St. Louis PAC/Civic Progress, $3,000 LIUNA 110, $2,600 Jim Holloran-McGurk’s owner, Soulard School Ed Center Chair, $2,500 Andrew Taylor- Chair of Enterprise Holdings, $1,000 Dennis Phillips- poker player and Kosciusko developer, $1,000 St. Louis Realtors PAC, $1,000 theLouPAC, $1000 Leadership Counts- legal money laundry- Steve Stone + St. Louis Cardinals, + Kevin Short + LIUNA 42, $1,000 LIUNA 42, $500 SEIU, $250 AFT 420, $200 7th Ward Cmte woman and D.C. attorney Danielle Mangogna, $100 former Alder Heather Navarro, $100 former State Sen Joan Bray, $100 Greg Christian- Sheriff Office PIO/former 15th Ward Committeeman) + In-Kind $2,500 Sqwires Restaurant; $40,913.09 spent ($19,108.18 direct mail Navigate Campaigns of D.C.); $41,507.62 on hand; $0 debt
February 2023 Report: $49,463 raised ($2,600 Pete Rothschild- Red Brick, $2,600 Dana Rothschild, $1,500 4Hands Brewery $1,000 SEIU Healthcare, $1000 SEIU Mo-KS, $250 former Mayor Lyda Krewson, $250 former 7th Ward Alder Phyllis Young, $200 7th Ward Cmte woman and D.C. attorney Danielle Mangogna, $100 charter school founder Jack Krewson, $100 former Mayor Vince Schoemehl); $38,655.95 spent ($25,410 to Navigate Campaigns direct mail); $47,923.71 on hand, $0 debt
January 2023 Report #2: $34,520 raised ($100 State Rep Tracy McCreery, $1,000 developer Michael Schwartz, $100 lobbyist and former Alder Sarah Martin, $500 Teamsters Local 6, $500 Building Trades PAC, $250 State Rep Steve Butz, $250 former lobbyist Bill Kuehling), $4,706.62 spent ($220 MEC fine, $253.43 Sam’s Club event food), $37,116.66 on hand, $0 debt
January 2023 Report #1: $0 raised, $1,097.54 spent, $7,303.28 on hand, $0 debt
October 2022 Report Late: Limited Activity
July 2022 Report: $0 raised, $566.17 spent, $8,400.82 on hand, $0 debt
Treasurer: Kathryn Parish (attorney)

Former 9th Ward Alder Ken Ortmann
Neighborhood: Benton Park
Residence Tax Abated: No
Occupation: owner of Cat’s Meow bar; landlord
Other Elected Office: former 9th Ward Alder
Genealogy: husband of former 9th Ward Democratic Committeewoman Pat Ortmann (see below)
2023 Alder Primary: 2nd place of 3 candidates, 858 Votes of 2,560
Campaign Finance
March 2023 Report: $1,235.58 raised ($500 loan from self/candidate); $2,785.20 spent; $2,421.14 on hand; $7,022.16 debt
February 2023 Report: $10,350.23 raised ($5,000.09 loan from himself, $250 former 11th Ward Alder Matt Villa, $50 Sheriff Vernon Betts, $50 former 8th Ward Alder Steve Conway), $6,879.47 spent, 3,470.76 on hand, $5,000.09 debt
Treasurer: Kevin P Kelleher (CPA; Hicar Properties LLC; founding member/officer for Benton Park Community Housing Corp administratively dissolved)

2023 Primary- Other Alder Candidates

Candidate for 8th Ward Alder Shedrick “Nato Caliph” Kelley
Neighborhood: McKinley Heights
Residence Tax Abated: No
Occupation: financial analyst at Wells Fargo; owner of Cipher Music Group; co-owner Kelley Dispatch & Logistic
Other Elected Office: former candidate for 7th Ward Alder
2023 Alder Primary: 3rd place of 3 candidates, 506 Votes of 2,560
Campaign Finance
February 2023 Report: $1,705 raised, $1,256.78 spent, $2,481.07 on hand, $0 debt
January 2023 Report: $5,315 raised ($4,500 from 4 donor), $3,282.15 spent ($500 to realtor and former US Senate candidate Spencer Toder’s Constituent Connection), $2,032.85 on hand, $0 debt
Treasurer: Alicia Kelley (wife of candidate Shedrick Kelley; owner of BridgeWay Global LLC)

Other Public Officials Residing In Ward

Current 7th Ward Alder Jack Coatar
Neighborhood: Soulard
Residence Tax Abated: No
Occupation: attorney at Spencer Fane’s Litigation, Governmental Affairs, and Real Estate Practice; former assistant Circuit Attorney
Other Elected Office: former candidate for Board President, not running for Alder in 2023
Campaign Finance
MEC account now says he’s running for citywide in 8/6/2024 Primary
January 2023 Report: $400 raised, $4,524.23 spent ($4,000 for a campaign staffer), $16,460.23 on hand, $0 debt
November 2022 Report #2: $41,305 raised, $99,238.76 spent (including $42,500 to Kelley Group and $13,500 to Tim Person**), $20,584.46 on hand, $0 debt
November 2022 Report #1: $157,213 raised, $216,007.07 spent (most of it to Kelley Group, also $15,000 to Tim Person**) , $79,118.22 on hand, $0 debt
October #2 2022 Report #2: $36,225 raised, $71,884.32 spent (mostly to consultants including Kelley Group), $138,012.29 on hand, $0 debt
October 2023 Report #1: $116,604.18 raised, $119,651.90 spent (mostly to consultants including Kelley Group), $174,171.61 on hand, $0 debt
Treasurer: Molly Dougherty (attorney at Sandberg Phoenix, secretary of Soulard Special Business District). Treasurer from 2014-2020 was Megan Shackelford of Kelley Group.
Deputy Treasurer: Kathryn Jayne Drennen/Drennan (also current treasurer for theLOUpac, Democracy 2.0 PAC, and Webster Groves School Board candidate Allen Todd; former treasurer for State Senate candidate Mark Osmack, Friends of Webster Groves Schools, Your Vote Matters MO PAC, Vote-StL PAC, Vote Yes on Prop E Webster Groves, Friends of St. Louis Zoo, Farm Action Missouri PAC, candidate for Secretary of State Robin Carnahan 2016, Missourians for a Fiscally Responsible Future PAC, Gateway to Progress PAC; current deputy treasurer for Missouri Voter Project – State PAC; former deputy treasurer for JanePAC for Jane Dueker, 15th Ward Alder candidate Rhonda Smythe, 78th District State Rep. candidate Penny Hubbard, former 5th Ward Alder Tammika Hubbard, former Lt Governor candidate Rusty Carnahan, former unspecific statewide candidate Rusty Carnahan, 2018 Ballot Fund for minimum wage and against Right to Work for Less, No Bans on Choice
Affiliated PAC Jack PAC
April 2023 Report: $10,000 raised (Caesar’s Enterprise- Horseshoe Casino, Downtown St. Louis); $10,000 spent (Caesar’s Enterprise contribution returned); $5,243.27 on hand; $0 debt
January 2023 Report: $0 raised, $23.07 spent, $5,243.27 on hand, $0 debt
December 2022 Report: $509.55 raised, $1,091.00 spent, $5,266.34 on hand, $0 debt
November 2022 Report: $202,601 raised ($240,000 from Leadership Counts, a legal money laundry), $293,424.95 spent ($272,800 to Snyder Pickerill Media Group), $5,314.39 on hand, $0 debt
October 2022 Report: $54,134 raised, $500 spent, $96,138.34 on hand, $0 debt
Treasurer: Terence Niehoff (attorney in Soulard). This PAC was created 9/10/2019 by Patrick Lynn of Kelley Group.

Current 9th Ward Alder Dan Guenther
Neighborhood: Benton Park
Residence Tax Abated: No
Occupation: former Monarch Community Liaison at Office of Sustainability
Campaign Finance
January 2023 Report: Limited Activity
October 2022 Report #1: Limited Activity
January 2022 Report: $200 raised, $798.95 spent, $8,586.50 on hand, $0 debt
Treasurer: Sara Johnson (former 9th Ward Committeewoman)
Deputy Treasurer: Megan Bennett (lives in New 14th Ward)

Ward Committees (PACs)

New 8th Ward Democratic organization: None

New 8th Ward Republican organization: None

Current 7th Ward Democrats
Campaign Finance
October 2022 Report: Limited Activity
Previous Report with activity or showing other than $0 on hand- April 2021 Report: $658.40 on hand, $0 debt
Treasurer: Jazmyn Holton (lives in New 14th Ward)

Current 7th Ward Republican organization: None

Current 9th Ward Democrats
Campaign Finance
October 2022 Report: Limited Activity
Previous Report with activity- February 2021 Report: $1,454.74 on hand, $0 debt
Treasurer: Bryan Walsh (artist, 9th Ward Committeeman. Until 4/29/2022, Treasurer was Braxton Payne of Kelley Group.)

Current 9th Ward Democratic Organization
Genealogy: aligned with former Alder Ken Ortmann and former Committeewoman Pat Ortmann, owners of Cat’s Meow
Campaign Finance
January 2023 Report: Limited Activity
October 2022 Report: Limited Activity
Previous Report with activity- April 2022 Report: $7.61 raised (interest), $90 spent (on “clubs”), $4,042.30 on hand, $0 debt
Treasurer: Trisha Wyant (daughter of former Alder Ortmann and former Committeewoman Ortmann)
Deputy Treasurer: Ron Auer (former State Representative)

Current 9th Ward Republican organization: None

Current 20th Ward Democratic Organization
Campaign Finance
January 2023 Report: $0 raised, $36 spent, $313.30 on hand, $0 debt
October 2022 Report: $0 raised, $6 spent, $349.30 on hand, $0
Treasurer: Nancy Stopke
Deputy Treasurer: Dale Sweet (former 20th Ward Committeeman; treasurer for former Alder candidate Kemata McCline)

Current 20th Ward Republican organization: None

Political Party Committeepeople

Current 7th Ward Democratic Committeewoman: Danielle Mangogna
Neighborhood: Downtown West, New 14th Ward
Residence Tax Abated: No
Occupation: attorney at Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe in D.C., address on MEC reports is in new 14th Ward)
Campaign Finance
October 2022 Report: Limited Activity
Previous Report with activity- April 2021 Report: $486.15 on hand, $0 debt
Treasurer: Steve Smith (owner of The Royale)

Current 7th Ward Democratic Committeeman Brian, might be Brian M. Beckmann
Neighborhood: LaSalle Park
Residence Tax Abated: No
Occupation: account development representative at Square; U.S. Army Veteran
Campaign Finance
*No party committeeman account filed at MEC

Current 7th Ward Republican Committeewoman Nana Agyeman‐Graham
Neighborhood: Downtown
Residence Tax Abated: No
Occupation: operations manager at Show Me Institute; volunteers for St. Louis Victims of Communism Commission; former Board member of Freedom Principle of St. Louis City
Campaign Finance
*No party committeewoman account filed at MEC

Current 7th Ward Republican Committeeman Jim Povolish Jr.
Neighborhood: McKinley Heights
Residence Tax Abated: No
Occupation: sales/service at Charter Communications
Campaign Finance
*No party committeeman account filed at MEC

Current 9th Ward Democratic Committeewoman Inez Bordeaux
Neighborhood: Mount Pleasant, New 3rd Ward
Residence Tax Abated: No
Occupation: manager of Community Collaborations at Arch City Defenders. City Dems website still says Sara Johnson is committeewoman.
Campaign Finance
*No party committeewoman account filed at MEC

Current 9th Ward Democratic Committeeman Bryan Walsh
Neighborhood: Marine Villa
Residence Tax Abated: No
Occupation: artist at Screwed Arts
Other Political: treasurer for 9th Ward Democrats
Campaign Finance
*No party committeeman account filed at MEC

Current 9th Ward Republican Committeewoman Cary Burton
Neighborhood: Marine Villa
Residence Tax Abated: No
Occupation: support engineer at ATOS
Campaign Finance
*No party committeewoman account filed at MEC

Current 9th Ward Republican Committeeman Jerry VanderWier
Neighborhood: Benton Park West, New 7th Ward
Residence Tax Abated: No
Occupation: crisis management at Ameren
Campaign Finance
*No party committeeman account filed at MEC

Current 20th Ward Democratic Committeewoman Kirsten Petty
Neighborhood: Gravois Park, New 7th Ward
Residence Tax Abated: No
Occupation: photographer
Campaign Finance
Terminated MEC committee 7/1/2020
Treasurer: Mark Davis (20th Ward Committeeman)

Current 20th Ward Democratic Committeeman Mark Davis
Neighborhood: Marine Villa
Residence Tax Abated: No
Occupation: retired
Campaign Finance
Terminated MEC committee 7/1/2020
Treasurer: Kirsten Petty (20th Ward Committeewoman)

Current 20th Ward Republican Committeewoman: Vacant

Current 20th Ward Republican Committeeman Tim Gartin
Neighborhood: Dutchtown, New 3rd Ward
Residence Tax Abated: No
Occupation: general studies teacher at Missouri Torah Institute
Other Elected Office: former candidate for Recorder of Deeds but no MEC account; former candidate for 78th District State Rep 2020
Campaign Finance
*No party committeeman account filed at MEC

Former Political Party Committeepeople

Former 9th Ward Democratic Committeewoman Pat Ortmann
Neighborhood: Benton Park
Residence Tax Abated: No
Occupation: owner of Cat’s Meow bar; works at City Collector of Revenue office
Party Office: former 9th Ward Committeewoman
Other Political: former treasurer for Kevin Klupe former candidate for Sheriff 2020
Genealogy: wife of 8th Ward Alder candidate and former 9th Ward Alder Ken Ortmann
Campaign Finance
January 2023 Report: Limited Activity
October 2022 Report: Limited Activity
April 2022 Report: $0 raised, $0 spent, $502.97 on hand, $0 debt
Treasurer: Trisha Wyant (daughter of former Alder Ortmann and former Committeewoman Ortmann; Treasurer for 9th Ward Democratic Organization)


* 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.

** Tim Person runs a political consulting business while on City payroll as Human Resources Director at Recorder of Deeds. Missouri State Party Chair Michael Butler is the elected Recorder and also owns a bar.

Lawyers of TIF Donations to Alders

This survey includes campaign contributions reported to Missouri Ethics Commission, for report years 2019 to 2022 to date, to current members of the St. Louis City Board of Alders and interim Board President, regardless of what office, if any, is identified as their office sought.

This survey includes only campaign contributions by the major law firms engaged in development incentives, tax abatement, and tax increment financing, that I am aware of, and attorneys at those firms, regardless of whether their practice includes corporate welfare. Contributions are reported here regardless of whether the attorney today practices at the firm identified in MEC records.

There are links to law firm bios when the contributor is known to work for corporate welfare. When an attorney is also a lobbyist, there is also a link to their MEC lobbyist registration.

Contributions to Alders and the Board President who have vacated office over past four years- and there were a lot- are not included.

Contributions to ward organization- and there were some- are not included.

Contributions of amounts lower than $100 and not itemized by the candidate are not included, obviously.

Husch Blackwell (law firm)
2022 Jack Coatar $2,600 + Jack PAC $10,000
2021 Jack Coatar $2,600, Tom Oldenburg $2,600
2020 Jack Coatar $1,000
2019 Christine Ingrassia $500

Husch Blackwell (attorneys)
David Richardson
2022 Jack Coatar $1,000
2021 Jack Coatar $1,000
2019 Christine Ingrassia $250
Scott Hammell
2022 Tom Oldenburg $1,000
Steven McCandless
2021 Tom Oldenburg $500
Patrick Eckelkamp
2021 Tom Oldenburg $500

Lewis Rice (attorneys)
Bri Hoy
2019 Anne Schweitzer $250
Lucas Jackson
2022 Jack Coatar $250
Alfred Ludwig
2021 Cara Spencer $200
Jerina Phillips
2022 Megan Green $500
David Sweeney (lobbyist)
2022 Pam Boyd $500, Shameem Clark Hubbard $100 + $100, Jack Coatar $250 + $1,500 + $100, Michael Gras $250, Megan Green $500 + $500, Anne Schweitzer $100 + $200, Joe Vaccaro $500
2021 Jack Coatar $250, Tom Oldenburg $500
2020 Jack Coatar $200
2019 Dan Guenther $100, Bret Narayan $150, Joe Vaccaro $100, Joe Vollmer $250

Thompson Coburn (law firm)
2022 Jack Coatar $2,600

Thompson Coburn (attorneys)
Elizabeth Feldmeir
2021 Tom Oldenburg $1,000
Chris Hohn
2021 Tom Oldenburg $1,000
Jarrod Sharp
2021 Tom Oldenburg $1,000
Celeste Vossmeyer
2021 Cara Spencer $250 + $1,000
2020 Megan Green $500
William Kuehling (lobbyist) now private practice, previously at Thompson Coburn
2021 Cara Spencer $2,000 + $250
2020 Jack Coatar $100 + $100
2019 Carol Howard $250, Cara Spencer $250

Spencer Fane (attorneys)
Jack Coatar
2021 Cara Spencer $250
Bradford Cytron
2022 Jack Coatar $1000
James Dankenbring
2022 Jack Coatar $1,000 + $1,000
Robert Epstein
2022 Jack Coatar $200
Elizabeth Felker
2022 Jack Coatar $100
Jason Flower
2022 Jack Coatar $250
Arthur Gregg
2022 Jack Coatar $150
Gerald Greiman
2022 Jack Coatar $1,000 + $1,000 +$1,000
2021 Jack Coatar $250 + $500
2020 Jack Coatar $1,000 + $500
Thomas Jerry
2022 Jack Coatar $250
2021 Jack Coater $200
James Loranger
2022 Jack Coatar $150
Jessica Merrigan
2022 Anne Schweitzer $250
2020 Anne Schweitzer $50 + $250
2019 Anne Schweitzer $250
Robert Preston
2022 Jack Coatar $250 + $250
Francis Slay (former lobbyist)
2020 Jack Coatar $125
2020 Anne Schweitzer $200
Erik Solverud
2022 Jack Coatar $250

Also see Aldergeddon: October MEC Reports

Aldergeddon: October MEC Reports

October campaign finance reports were due October 17th. Where “None” is shown for this report, it means none filed to date. Where Limited Activity for October was filed, the next report showing activity is also used. Where the last report showing activity is older than 2022, only on hand and debt amounts are shown. Links are to the candidate’s campaign finance or political action committee page at Missouri Ethics Commission.

New 1st Ward
Current 12th Ward Alder William ‘Bill’ Stephens, October 2022 Report- Limited Activity (late). September 2022 Report, State Rep 81st District- $500 raised, $2,515.84 spent, $2,686.15 on hand, $5,108.16 debt. Note: now says it is a State Rep 81st District 2024 account
Current 13th Ward Alder Anne Schweitzer, October 2022 Report, Alder- $2335 raised, $84.43 spent, $35,967.89 on hand, $0 debt

New 2nd Ward
Current 14th Ward Alder Carol Howard– Termination Report: $0 raised, $1,312.60 spent (mostly to her treasurer), $0 on hand, $0 debt. October 2022 Report, Alder- $0 raised, $333.20 spent, $1,312.60 on hand, $0 debt
Current 16th Ward Alder Thomas R Oldenburg, October 2022 Report, Alder- $0 raised, $10,911.54 spent (mostly to Kelley Group), $31,787.12 on hand, $0 debt

New 3rd Ward
Current 11th Ward Alder James ‘Jimmy’ P Lappe, October 2022 Report, Alder- Limited Activity. July 2022 Report, Alder- $1,575 raised, $1,096.21 spent, $1478.79 on hand, $0 debt
Current 25th Ward Alder Shane Cohn, October 2022 Report, Alder- $1,525 raised, $787.85 spent, $3,483.09 on hand, $0 debt

New 4th Ward
Current 23rd Ward Alder Joseph A Vaccaro Jr, October 2022 Report, Alder- $8,035 raised, $1,404.60 spent, $13,566.65 on hand, $540.309 debt
Current 24th Ward Alder Bret Narayan, October 2022 Report, Alder- $3,952.84 raised, $0 spent, $5,857.89 on hand, $0 debt

New 5th Ward
Current 10th Ward Alder & Acting Board President Joseph Vollmer, October 2022 Report, Alder- Limited Activity. July 2022 Report, Alder- $0 raised, $600 spent, $19,560.85 on hand, $0 debt

New 6th Ward
Current 8th Ward Alder Annie Rice, October 2022 Report, Alder- $0 raised, $117 spent, $1,908 on hand, $0 debt
Current 15th Ward Alder Megan Ellyia Green, October #2 2022 Report, Board President- Limited Activity. October #1 2022 Report, Board President- $68,584.95 raised, $70.458.98 spent, $40,769.25 on hand, $0 debt. Affiliated PAC Progress PAC, October 2022 Report, Board President- $3,875 raised, $153.08 spent, $3,721.92 on hand, $0 debt

New 7th Ward
Current 6th Ward Alder Christine Ingrassia, October 2022 Report, Alder- Limited Activity. July 2019 Report, Alder- $2,474.33 on hand, $5,800 debt

New 8th Ward
Current 7th Ward Alder John ‘Jack’ Coatar, October #2 2022 Report, Board President- $36,225 raised, $71,884.32 spent (mostly to consultants including Kelley Group), $138,012.29 on hand, $0 debt. October #1 Report, Board President- $116,604.18 raised, $119,651.90 spent (mostly to consultants including Kelley Group), $174,171.61 on hand, $0 debt. Affiliated PAC Jack PAC, October 2022 Report, Board President- $54,134 raised, $500 spent, $96,138.34 on hand, $0 debt
Current 9th Ward Alder Dan Guenther, October 2022 Report, Alder- Limited Activity. January 2022 Report, Alder- $200 raised, $798.95 spent, $8,586.50 on hand, $0 debt
Current 20th Ward Alder Cara Spencer, October 2022 Report, Alder- None. July 2022 Report, Alder- $0 raised, $566.17 spent, $8,400.82 on hand, $0 debt

New 9th Ward
Current 17th Ward Alder Tina Pihl, October 2022 Report, Alder- Limited Activity. July 2022, Alder- $175 raised, $679.92 spent, $1,346.88 on hand, $86.72 debt
Current 28th Ward Alder Michael Gras, October Report, Alder- None. July 2022, Alder- $750 raised, $1,752.01 spent, $460.66 on hand, $6,779.27 debt

New 10th Ward
Current 26th Ward Alder Shameem Clark Hubbard, October 2022 Report, Alder- $8,935 raised, $9,159.84 spent (including golf cart for “events and canvassing), $3,548.49 on hand, $7,952.66 debt

New 11th Ward
Current 19th Ward Alder Marlene Davis, October 2022 Report, Alder- Limited Activity (filed late). July 2021 Report, Alder- $13,440 on hand, $0 debt
Current 21st Ward Alder Laura Keys, October 2022 Report, Alder- $0 raised, $0 spent, $229.53 on hand, $0 debt. Affiliated PAC 21st Ward Organization, October 2022 Report, Alder- Limited Activity. April 2021 Report, Alder- $1,248.58 on hand, $0 debt

New 12th Ward
Current 1st Ward Alder Sharon Tyus, October 2022 Report, Alder- None. July 2021 Report, Alder- $21,257 on hand, $24,978.41 debt
Current 12th Ward Alder Dwinderlin Evans, October 2022 Report, Alder- Limited Activity. January 2022 Report, Alder- $0 raised, $565 spent, $1,077 on hand, $0 debt
Current 18th Ward Alder Jesse Todd, October 2022 Report- Limited Activity. March 2019 Report, Alder- $42.57 on hand, $0 debt

New 13th Ward
Current 2nd Ward Alder Lisa Middlebrook, October 2022 Report, Alder- Limited Activity. October 2021 Report, Alder- $100 on hand, $0 debt
Current 22nd Ward Alder Norma J Walker, October 2022 Report, Alder- Limited Activity. September 2022 Report, Alder- $3,620 raised, $6,277.87 spent, $1,799.37 on hand, $2,000 debt
Current 27th Ward Alder Pamela Boyd, October 2022 Report, Alder- $2,956.04 raised, $340 spent, $4,002.21 on hand, $0 debt

New 14th Ward
Current 3rd Ward Alder Brandon Bosley, October 2022 Report, Alder- Limited Activity. April 2021 Report, Alder- $100 on hand, $0 debt
Current 5th Ward Alder James A Page Jr, October 2022 Report, Alder- $396.67 raised, $2,084.73 spent (mostly to Meyers Okohson Political Consulting), $2,326.65 on hand, $1,000 debt

Soulard Taxation Without Representation

There’s a 6:30 pm Tonight Soulard Special Business District Board Meeting at Soulard Station, 1911 S 12th.

Soulard SBD is the property tax district, for part of the Soulard neighborhood, that funds privatized policing, off duty police via TCF, and so-called security cameras.

This is also the tax district that held the extra super #TransparencyFail meeting last month. Not giving proper notice of meetings is just one of many problems with the Board.

Over 70% of Soulard residents are renters who pay property taxes via their monthly rent. Tonight’s meeting will be conducted without a required residential renter Board member. It’s companion sales district district- Soulard Community Improvement District– requires all Board members to be property owners.

The previous residential renter Board member was Molly Dougherty. In March 2021, She bought a home in Soulard but was allowed to remain on the Board repping renters. She now serves as a homeowner Board member. Dougherty is a landlord attorney at Sandberg Phoenix and serves as treasurer for 7th Ward Alder Jack Coatar’s campaign committee for St. Louis City Board President. Coatar served on the Board before he was elected Alder.

The due diligence made by Soulard SBD Board to fill the residential renter Board seat is found in the July 2021 Minutes. They posted a notice in the St. Louis Daily Record, a subscription service for legal notices, a publication read by likely less than a dozen residential renters in Soulard.

Additional transparency issues with Soulard SBD:

  • They post skeleton, generic agendas with meeting notices on their website and a year in advance to City’s Public Meeting Calendar. And, as happened with the last meeting and a number of other times, they change meeting times, dates, places but never update the City Calendar notice.
  • They are always behind posting Meeting Minutes. July 2022 are the latest Minutes posted. You regularly see “forgot to approve Minutes” in Minutes.
  • There’s no Budget or anything resembling Financials posted to the District’s website, only a 2016 pie chart.

These special tax districts represent the worst of government- poorly run private clubs providing inefficient parochial responses to citywide concerns. Instead of stopping this trainwreck, Alders continue to rubberstamp creation of new ones. As the 2023 elections for Alders and Board President approach, who will run on a platform of getting rid of special tax districts?

Further Reading

St. Louis’ Private Police Forces Make Security a Luxury of the Rich by Jeremy Kohler, ProPublica, September 8, 2022

A Private Policing Company in St. Louis Is Staffed With Top Police Department Officers by Jeremy Kohler, ProPublica, September 9, 2022

Monday Meeting of Soulard Tax Board for Private Police

UPDATE: Sometime after 8 am Monday, September 12th, Soulard Special Business District posted a notice to its website for the 6:30 pm Monday, September 12th Soulard SBD Meeting, less than seven hours notice for a public meeting on public tax money. That Notice says the meeting has been moved to Molly’s, a venue owned by Soulard SBD Chair Luke Reynolds (also Vice Chair of Soulard Community Improvement District, sales tax district). As of 10:30 am Monday, September 12th, the meeting Notice on City’s Public Meetings Calendar had not been changed to reflect a different meeting place. That notice says the meeting is at Soulard Station. Notices and edits to City Public Meetings Calendar get time-date identification. Notices on most special tax district websites only get a date first posted.

Original blog post below.

Or not.

Soulard Special Business District is one of St. Louis City’s special tax districts that fund private policing and part of last week’s two part investigative report by Jeremy Kohler for ProPublica.

We know that as a part of their response to the ProPublica investigation, Soulard SBD’s Board voted in November 2021 to hire Husch Blackwell as legal counsel for $5,000 “to ensure the Board complies with an ongoing Sunshine request and fully complies with the Sunshine Act.”

We know that before Jack Coatar was elected to the St. Louis City Board of Alderpeople, he served on the Soulard SBD. In May 2022, as Alder, he gave the welcome and introductions at Soulard SBD Neighborhood Safety Forum. Secretary of the Soulard SBD Board is Molly Doughtery, also Treasurer of Coatar’s campaign finance committee. Coatar is on Tuesday’s special election ballot to fill the vacancy caused by resignation of Board of Alderpeople President Lewis Reed, a friend of Coatar’s.

We know there’s a meeting notice for Soulard SBD on the City of St. Louis Public Meetings Calendar. We also know that a year’s worth of meeting notices and generic skeleton agenda’s were posted by the SBD Board to the City Calendar on Dec 7, 2021.

We also know that as of 5 pm Sunday, there was no notice for a September Soulard SBD meeting on the SBD’s website.

It doesn’t matter whether they’re having a public meeting without a notice on their website or failed to cancel the meeting notice on City website. It doesn’t matter whether they don’t want questions relating to the ProPublica investigative reports or Coatar’s involvement in tax districts before Tuesday’s election. It’s all Transparency Fail.

The Soulard SBD Budget includes $18,000 for Communications Management, $50,000 for Advertising/Promotion, $25,000 for Communications, $50,000 for Marketing/Branding. You would think that one of those line items includes competent online posting of public meetings notices at both their website and the City Public Meetings Calendar.