April 5 Election Guide!

There are several important upcoming elections in the St. Louis region, so I thought it might be helpful to compile some of the information I've seen online. I'll start with a few of my own endorsements, and then provide more general resources.

Citywide and Countywide Endorsements

Most important: if you live in the City of St. Louis, make sure to Vote Yes On Prop E. The earnings tax is an absolutely crucial part of the city's revenue, and it's loss would be devastating. Some resources:

• Here's the Post-Dispatch's editorial urging city residents to to Vote Yes on E.
• The St. Louis American makes a similar case.
• The Riverfront Times reported on how the main backer of the repeal, right-wing millionaire Rex Sinquefield, can't actually vote on the referendum since he lives elsewhere.
• You can read all you want to know about the importance of the earnings tax at this link, though keep in mind that it was for a different election and now you need to Vote Yes on E.

Everyone in St. Louis County can vote on an important race for County Assessor between Democrat Jake Zimmerman and Republican L.K. "Chip" Wood. I strongly recommend voting Jake Zimmerman for County Assessor.

• Here's the Post-Dispatch's endorsement of Jake Zimmerman.
• I've written about the race the race in support of Zimmerman here, here, and here.
• Hotflash at Show Me Progress has written in support of Zimmerman here, here and here.
• The St. Louis American endorsed Zimmerman.
• And I'll also just note that the St. Louis Tea Party has been going whole hog for Chip Wood (even hypocritically ignored the fact that he didn't pay his property taxes), which they usually don't do unless they're expecting something in return. I, for one, would not like to see an uber-ideological county assessor who panders to a tea party who thinks they're "at war" with the rest of America and the "ends justify the means."

Local Endorsements

Audrey Hollis is running for Mayor of Bellefontaine Neighbors. I can think of no better person for elected office who can thoughtfully and strategically push for progressive change that makes the St. Louis region better. Audrey knows how to make change happen.

Many people speak highly of Hattie Jackson, running to be a Trustee of St. Louis Community College, including Martin Rafanan, Mayor Slay, and the St. Louis American.

Steve Patterson at UrbanReviewSTL and many other people interested in seeing the city change for the better have endorsed independent candidate Scott Ogilvie in the Ward 24 of St. Louis City.

State Rep. Vicki Englund is a cool person and is running for the Lindbergh School Board. You can read some of her thoughts on how Lindbergh can stay ahead of the curve here.

As documented by FiredUp Missouri, in St. Charles, Sally Faith has been remarkably disingenuous in her campaign for Mayor. As a State Representative, Faith sponsored a bill to repeal the Puppy Mill Cruelty Prevention Act and also supported anti-union right-to-work-for-less legislation. While she was running for Mayor, Faith suddenly changed her mind about those things and decided that she really does care about puppies and workers after all. She also supports gutting the minimum wage law supported by 76% of Missouri voters. I recommend Republican incumbent Patti York for Mayor of St. Charles, since she didn't need an election to figure out that she likes people and puppies.

General Election Information

The League of Women Voters, in conjunction with the Post-Dispatch, has put together a pretty comprehensive Voter's Guide for most of the greater St. Louis region.

Steve Patterson at UrbanReviewSTL shared his recommendations.

The Local Patch's have been doing amazing work providing detailed information about local races, candidates, and debates. It's hard to summarize all of it, but here are some general resources (in roughly alphabetical order):

• Articles about Afton-Shrewsberry elections. Note that two aldermanic candidates Dee Wiecher and John Oldenwald are opposed (with Wiecher taking a lead on the issue) to a new plan to bring a Walmart into the area (of course with massive tax giveaways) while incumbent Greg Lauter is supportive.
• Arnold Voter's Guide.
• Articles about Ballwin-Ellsville elections.
• Chesterfield Voter's Guide.
• A Clayton-Richmond Heights Guide.
• Creve Couer Election Guide.
• Articles on Fenton Elections.
• Voter's Guides for Frontenac, Ladue, Huntleigh, and Crystal Lake Park.
• Articles for Kirkwood/Webster Groves elections.
• A Lake St. Louis Election Guide.
• A Maplewood/Brentwood Election Guide and articles.
• Articles about the Maryland Heights elections including the Maryland Heights Election Guide.
• Mehlville Election Guide and assorted articles.
• Articles about Oakville Elections.
• O'Fallon articles about their elections.
• St. Charles Patch articles about their elections.
• Articles about St. Peters' elections.
• Town and Country/Manchester Voters Guide and assorted articles.

• Articles on Wentzville elections.