ST. LOUIS — Alderwoman Cara Spencer kicked off her second campaign for mayor Tuesday night, telling a room full of supporters at the old Post-Dispatch building downtown that she’ll get the basics right again.
In a contrast with Mayor Tishaura O. Jones’ recent proclamation that the city is in renaissance, Spencer cast St. Louis as a city in trouble, reeling from population loss, shrinking tax revenue, and potholed streets terrorized by reckless drivers.
“Our city is at a crossroads,†she said. “We have to rebuild trust in the functions of our city government.â€
But she said she can turn things around. She touted her recent work as an alderwoman passing a bill making it illegal for people to openly carry guns without a city permit and pushing for the redevelopment of large vacant buildings downtown. And she said that as mayor, she will make basic services like picking up trash and answering 911 calls her top priority.
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Shortages of trash truck drivers and emergency dispatchers have made both services a challenge for the Jones administration. The city has seen significant improvement in 911 wait times in recent months after offering raises to call takers.
Still, last month, more than a dozen trash truck drivers called out sick for two days to protest what multiple workers called low pay, heavy workloads and poor management.
On Tuesday, Spencer marveled at the size of the crowd at her event. She estimated 400 people signed in, a far larger audience than the one at Mayor Tishaura O. Jones’ campaign kickoff last month.
Notables in attendance included former Mayor Vincent C. Schoemehl Jr., Alderman Bret Narayan, of Dogtown, a number of city firefighters, and three trash division workers.
Schoemehl has been a mentor to Spencer in recent years. Narayan and the firefighters have been at loggerheads with Jones since she opposed legislation that would give firefighters more control over their pension system due to concerns it would lead to increased costs.
The trash workers want pay increases so their division can staff up and they don’t have to work as much.
Spencer previously ran for mayor in 2021. She lost to Jones 52%-48%.
The mayoral primary is scheduled for March.
View life in St. Louis through the Post-Dispatch photographers' lenses. Edited by Jenna Jones.
