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

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.

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.

Aldergeddon Campaign Finance Info

Old black and white photo of St. Louis City Hall

The New Ward Profiles include up-to-date campaign finance information for most St. Louis City Alder candidates and ward organizations/political action committees.

Most instead of all because the reports are constantly changing with amended reports and late contribution or late expenditure filings with Missouri Ethics Commission. It’s very hard to keep up with.

There really ought to be a law against raising and spending money the last week of election. Get it done before then. Make that public at least five days before elections. Make it apply to candidates, political action committees, political parties.

Heartbreaking for me, personally, all the candidates taking money from the captains of industry and recipients of corporate welfare known as Civic Progress and Great White Fathers via 21st Century St. Louis PAC. Each accepted $2,600.

New 2nd Ward: 16th Ward Tom Oldenburg

New 3rd Ward: 25th Ward Alder Shane Cohn

New 5th Ward: 10th Ward Alder Joe Vollmer

New 6th Ward: Daniela Velazquez

New 8th Ward: 20th Ward Alder Cara Spencer

New 9th Ward: 28th Ward Alder Michael Gras and Michael Browning

New 11th Ward: 21st Ward Alder Laura Keys

New 13th Ward: 27th Ward Alder Pam Boyd

New 14th Ward: 5th Ward Alder James Page and State Rep. Rasheen Aldridge

Also: Mayor Tishaura Jones, Comptroller Darlene Green, Board President Megan Green

Aldergeddon: New 9th Ward

The new St. Louis City 9th Ward includes parts of current 17th, 18th, and 28th Wards and is the result of Census Redistricting and Ward Reduction.

All 14 New Ward Profiles here.

Candidate Forum: February 16, 2023 9th Ward Alder Candidate Forum sponsored by Forest Park Southeast Neighborhood Association

2023 Alder Primary Results

18+ Population: 18,969
Registered Voters: 14,244 (75.09% Registered)
Total Ballots Cast: 2,204 (14.21% Turnout)
Total Votes Cast for Alder candidates: 2,751 – 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: 1,499
Alder Candidates
Michael Gras: 868
Tina Pihl: 876
Michael Browning: 1,007

2023 Alder General Election

Current 17th Ward Alder Tina “Sweet-T” Pihl
Neighborhood: Forest Park Southeast
Residence Tax Abated: No
Occupation: landlord
2023 Alder Primary: 2nd place of 3 candidates, 876 Votes of 2,751
Campaign Finance
March 2023 Report: $14,613.92 raised($500 FIRE, $500 JoAnne LaSalla- former City Budget Director/Bi-State Commissioner, $500 Betty Van Uum- former STL County Councilwoman/administrator at UMSL, $450 Sierra Club Mo, $200 anti-tax/anti-public school attorney Bevis Shock- Show Me Institute Board); $17,660.52 spent ($3,500 Public Service Partners- Kennesa GA, $1,050 SMD Writing & Consulting- using Ink Spot address, dba expired 2016); $19,411.85 on hand; $6,796.79 debt
February 2023 Report: $21,955 raised ($1,500 SEIU Healthcare, $1,500 SEIU MO-KS, $500 Laborers 42, $500 Laborers 110, $500 AFT 420, $200 former County State Rep Jeanne Kirkton); $4,113.10 spent ($1,050 Vanessa Carrol graphic design- she’s 6th Ward Committeewoman and treasurer of Progress PAC for Board President Megan Ellyia Green and 7th Ward Alder Candidate Alisha Sonnier); $22,458.45 on hand; $3,771.79 debt
January 2023 Report: $7,460 raised ($2,500 loan from candidate), $4,190.33 spent, $4,616.55 on hand, $2,714.84 debt
October 2022 Report: Limited Activity
July 2022 Report: $175 raised, $679.92 spent, $1,346.88 on hand, $86.72 debt
Treasurer: Justin Radick

Candidate for 9th Ward Alder Michael Browning
Neighborhood: Forest Park Southeast
Residence Tax Abated: No
Occupation: senior grant specialist at Washington University School of Medicine; former vice president of FPSE Neighborhood Association
2023 Alder Primary: 1st place of 3 candidates, 1,007 Votes of 2,751
Campaign Finance
March 2023 Report: $35,788.76 raised ($2,600 21st Century St. Louis PAC/Civic Progress, $2,600 developer Steve Smith New + Found/Lawrence Group, $2,500 former Emerson Electric CEO David Farr, $2,000 attorney Jerry Schlichter, $1,957.38 17th Ward FDR Club- using Maplewood address, $1,000 IAFF 73, $1,000 UAW, $500 Lawyers of TIF David Sweeney, $500 St. Louis Realtors PAC, $500 Teamsters, $250 former Mayor Lyda Krewson, $100 St. Louis Building Trades) + $622.28 In-Kind ($184.84 developer Will Smith – New + Found; $20,328.04 spent ($17,784.98 MO Political Consulting); $20,801.07 on hand; $0 debt
February 2023 Report: $12,380 raised ($2,600 21st Century PAC/Civic Progress; $2,600 Commerce Bank, $1,500 loan from candidate); $11,061.82 spent ($7,430.13 MO Political Consulting); $5,340.33 on hand; $1,500 debt
January 2023 Report #2: $1,055 raised, $3,684 spent ($3,203.25 to MO Political Consulting), $4,022.15 on hand, $0 debt
January 2023 Report #1: $11,695 raised (including $1,000 from developer/Grove CID member Guy Slay), $5,043.85 spent (mostly to MO Political Consulting), $6,651.15 on hand, $0 debt
Treasurer: Sarah Mangapora (project manager at Tarlton Corp)

2023 Primary- Other Alder Candidates

Current 28th Ward Alder Michael Gras
Neighborhood: Central West End
Residence Tax Abated: No
Occupation: attorney; assistant prosecutor for Florissant Mo
2023 Alder Primary: 3rd place of 3 candidates, 868 Votes of 2,751
Campaign Finance
February 2023 Report: $13,105 raised ($2,600 21st Century St. Louis PAC/Civic Progress, $500 lobbyist Jeff Rainford, $500 SEIU Healt5hcare, $500 SEIU MO-KS, $500 IAFF 73, $500 LIUNA 110, $100 former Mayor Krewson); $7,097.53 spent; $11,161.43 on hand; $1,426.44 debt
January 2023 Report #2 Amended: one contributor info updated
January 2023 Report #2: $6,150 ($400 Electrical Workers, $100 Pier St. Louis developer, $100 former Mayor Vince Schoemehl, former 8th Ward Alder Steve Conway), $3,413.78 spent ($2,000 to campaign manager Katie Graham), $5,153.96 on hand, $830.15 debt
January 2023 Report #1: $2,860 raised (including $500 from #LawyersOfTIF David Sweeney, $100 from Denis), $759.02 spent, $2,417.74 on hand, $970.15 debt
October Report: $13,101.88 raised ($5,200 from Red Brick/Rothschild), $13,101.88 spent, $316.76 on hand, $830.15 debt
July 2022 Report: $750 raised, $1,752.01 spent, $460.66 on hand, $6,779.27 debt
Treasurer: self/Michael Gras

Other Public Officials Residing In Ward

School Board Member Matt Davis
Neighborhood: Central West End
Residence Tax Abated: No
Occupation: attorney at Gallagher Davis
Campaign Finance
January 2023 Report: Limited Activity
October 2022 Report: Limited Activity
July 2022 Report: Limited Activity
April 2022 Report: $0 raised, $2,781.43 spent ($2500 to SLPS Foundation), $2,414.94 on hand, $0 debt
Treasurer: Michael Roy

School Board Member Brittany Hogan**
Neighborhood: Central West End
Residence Tax Abated: No
Occupation: manager at Center for Human Service Leadership, Delmar Divine. Board Member for the Innovative Technology Education Fund
Campaign Finance
No candidate account filed with MEC

Ward Committees (PACs)

New 9th Ward Democratic organization: None

New 9th Ward Republican organization: None

Current 17th FDR Club Democratic Organization
Campaign Finance
December 2022 Report: $400 raised, $98.35 spent, $2,069.03 on hand, $0 debt
October 2022 Report: Limited Activity
Last report with activity- April 2021 Report amended: $1,392.10 on hand, $0 debt
Treasurer: Sean P. O’Gorman (attorney)

Current 17th Ward Republican organization: None

Current 28th Ward Democrats Campaign Committee
Campaign Finance
December 2022 Report: $400 raised, $0 spent, $1,478.70 on hand, $0 debt
October #2 2022 Report: $0 raised, $302.97 spent, $1,078.70 on hand, $0 debt
October #1 2022 Report: Limited Activity
Treasurer: Heather Navarro (director of Midwest Climate Collaborative; former 28th Ward Alder)

Current 28th Ward Republican organization: None

Political Party Committeepeople

Current 17th Ward Democratic Committeewoman Amy Hilgemann
Neighborhood: Botanical Heights, New 7th Ward
Residence Tax Abated: No
Occupation: social worker at Tenet Health Care
Other Elected Office: former candidate for State Rep., former School Board Member
Genealogy: wife of 17th ward Committeeman Bob Hilgemann
Campaign Finance
*No party committeewoman account filed with MEC

Current 17th Ward Democratic Committeeman Bob Hilgemann
Neighborhood: Botanical Heights, New 7th Ward
Residence Tax Abated: No
Occupation: retired from Monsanto
Other Elected Office: former State Rep.
Other Party Office: former chair of St. Louis Democratic City Central Committee
Genealogy: husband of 17th Ward Committeewoman Amy Hilgemann
Campaign Finance
*No party committeeman account filed with MEC

Current 17th Ward Republican Committeewoman: Vacant

Current 17th Ward Republican Committeeman Dan Scott
Neighborhood: Forrest Park Southeast
Residence Tax Abated: No
Occupation: landlord; bully
Campaign Finance
*No party committeeman account filed with MEC

Current 28th Ward Democratic Committeewoman Gail Farwell
Neighborhood: Central West End
Residence Tax Abated: No
Occupation: Nurse Case Manager for Medical Homes-BJC HealthCare
Campaign Finance
*No party committeewoman account filed with MEC

Current 28th Ward Democratic Committeeman Parker Loveless
Neighborhood: Central West End
Residence Tax Abated: No
Occupation: works at Sherwin-Williams; former dispatcher at Bi-State Development dba Metro
Campaign Finance
*No party committeeman account filed with MEC

Current 28th Ward Republican Committeewoman Taunia Allen Mason
Neighborhood: Central West End
Residence Tax Abated: No
Occupation: communications manager at Saint Louis Science Center; member and treasurer for St. Louis Port Commission
Other Elect Office: former candidate for 28th Ward Alder
Other Party Office: serves on Missouri Republican Party State Committee
Genealogy: wife of Circuit Court Judge David C. Mason
Campaign Finance
January 2023 Report: Limited Activity
October 2022 Report: Limited Activity
July 2022 Report: Limited Activity
April 2022 Report #3: $3,391.15 raised, $3,794.91 spent, $730.34 on hand, $0 debt
Treasurer: Robert Vroman (22nd Ward GOP Committeeman; husband of School Board member Natalie Vowel)

Current 28th Ward Republican Committeeman: Vacant

Former Public Officials

Former Mayor Lyda Krewson
Neighborhood: Central West End
Residence Tax Abated: No
Occupation: former vice president of finance at PGAV Destinations
Other Elected Office: former 28th Ward Alder; former candidate for Board President 2002
Genealogy: mother of Jack Krewson (co-founder and chief strategy officer for Kairos private charter school); wife of television reporter Mike Owens; wife of Jeff Krewson, murdered in 1995 during an attempted carjacking in front of their home;
Campaign Finance
8/6/2024 Primary for citywide office per MEC record
January 2023 Report: $0 raised, $3,948.19 spent ($500 to Show Me Victories/Kelley Group, $1500 to Aristotle campaign management software), $337,460.92 on hand, $0 debt
October 2023 Report: $0 raised, $12,359.52 spent ($500 to Show Me Victories/Kelley Group, $1500 to Aristotle campaign management software), $341,409.11 on hand, $0 debt
Treasurer: Harvey Citerman (corporate financial advisor consultant; second term on Waterman/Lake Special Business District Board, tax district; former appointee to Firefighters’ Retirement Plan Board)

Former 17th Ward Alder Joe Roddy
Neighborhood: Central West End
Residence Tax Abated: No
Occupation: financial planner at West End Advisory Group
Party Office: former 17th Ward Committeeman
Genealogy: son of former 17th Ward Alder and former Circuit Court Clerk Joe Roddy
Campaign Finance
March Primary 2025 citywide office account per MEC record
January 2023 Report: $0 raised, $715.05 spent, $13,504.89 on hand, $0 debt
October 2022 Report: $0 raised, $161.19 spent, $14,219.94 on hand, $0 debt
Treasurer: Mark Roddy

Former 18th Ward Alder Terry Kennedy
Neighborhood: Central West End
Residence Tax Abated: No
Occupation: Clerk of the Board of Aldermen
Elected Office: former 18th Ward Alder
Genealogy: son of former Textile Union president and former 18th Ward Alder Samuel Kennedy, a survivor of the 1917 East St. Louis Massacre; his grandmother built a raft to float across the Mississippi to safety in St. Louis Mo; twin brother Gary Samuel “Dhati Majaliwa” Kennedy died in 2022 from leukemia
Campaign Finance
Terminated committee 1/17/2023
October 2022 Report: $0 raised, $0 spent, $0 on hand, $0 debt

Former 28th Ward Alder Heather Navarro
Neighborhood: Skinker DeBaliviere, New 10th Ward
Residence Tax Abated: No
Occupation: director of Midwest Climate Collaborative
Campaign Finance
March 2023 Primary for 28th Ward Alder per MEC record
Terminated committee 03/26/2023: donated $250 to Central Reform Congregation
January 2023 Report: $0 raised, $20,186 spent (most donations to non profits), $471.21 on hand, $0 debt
October 2022 Report: Limited Activity
July 2022 Report: $0 raised, $630.57 spent, $20,657.21 on hand, $0 debt
Treasurer: Christina Bennett (Assistant City Treasurer, serves on TIF Commission and Westminster/Lake Special Business District)
Deputy Treasurer: Brooke Williams

* 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 pers

** Appointed by Mayor Tishaura Jones to fill vacancy. Term expires April 2023.

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