ST. LOUIS, MO (KTVI-FOX2now.com)—
Incumbent St. Louis Mayor Francis Slay easily defeated two opponents in the first stage of his bid for a third term Tuesday. Less than 20 percent of the city's registered voters turned out for the primary election.Slay pulled 61.5 percent of the vote ( 19,350 votes) to former alderwoman Irene Smith's 32 percent ( 10,032 votes) and political newcomer Denise Watson-Wesley Coleman's 6.5 percent ( 2047 votes).
The campaign for the general election opens Wednesday when Independent candidate Maida Coleman (no relation to Denise Coleman) holds a morning news conference at St. Louis City Hall. Coleman, a former Missouri state senator and Democrat, dropped out of the primary race after Denise Watson-Wesley Coleman filed. Senator Coleman initially questioned whether Denise Coleman was a legitimate candidate or merely a ringer who entered to cause confusion. Maida Coleman will appear on the general election ballot as an Independent
Slay won the Democratic primary handily despite controversy over his demotion of a popular African American fire chief, troubles in the St. Louis police department and ongoing difficulties with the management of the St. Louis public schools. Slay said he wants to continue as mayor to meet the city's challenges .
Coleman is calling for more transparency at city hall. She criticizes Slay for a sense of division in St. Louis and what she terms intimidation of people who do business with the city.
Also running in April is Libertarian candidate Rob Cunningham and Green party nominee Elston McCowan. No Republican candidates filed for mayor.
The polls closed at 7:00pm in the city of St. Louis where voters spent the day weighing in on a number of primary races: mayor, comptroller, and aldermen in odd-numbers wards.
People in the Shaw neighborhood voted down a tax increase to pay for extra police protection. The measure was defeated 67.5 percent to 32.5 percent to Has it passed, property owners would have paid an extra 50 cents per $100 of assessed value.
The heated race between Velma Bailey and Freeman Bosley Sr.for alderman in the city's third ward has been decided. The race got a little dirty with Bailey accusing Bosley of sending building inspectors to the homes of people who have her yard signs posted. Bosley says he wouldn't intimidate anyone. Bosley Sr. defeated Bailey Tuesday night, receiving 53.5 percent of the vote.
