Green announces run for mayor (No, not that Green)
Francis Slay has drawn his first challenger for re-election. Today Thursday at 11:00 AM in the Rotunda of City Hall, Green Party candidate Rev. Elston McCowan will announce his candidacy for Mayor of the City of St. Louis. Not quite the top-tier challenger people have been waiting for, but perhaps Rev. McCowan’s example will inspire someone to come off the bench.
Names mentioned as candidates who could pose a real threat to Slay include Comptroller Darlene Green, License Collector Mike McMillan, and further down the list, State Senator Maida Coleman and Circuit Clerk Mariano Favazza.
Aldermanic President Lewis Reed is also mentioned as a viable candidate, but since he would become mayor anyway should Slay resign sometime in his next term (say, to accept a federal judgeship), it’s unlikely he’d jump in the race now.
More on McCowan from his press release:
McCowan’s Green Party successfully collected 11,000 signatures calling for the audit of St. Louis’ finances, prompting the audit currently being conducted by Missouri State Auditor, Susan Montee’s office. The Greens also worked with the Committee to Recall Slay, ultimately collecting 15,000 signatures aimed at ousting the Mayor. With such figures behind him, McCowan considers his run a mandate from the people.
“The 26,000 people who signed those petitions, and many others I’ve spoken to, are ready to end the ‘Slay-ride’ that has been racial division and further deterioration of the St. Louis Public Schools,” says McCowan.”The firing of Fire Chief Sherman George and Slay’s refusal to make lead-based paint abatement in our schools a priority sends a clear message that this mayor is not interested in the will of the people. It’s time for the dawning of ‘A New Day for St. Louis.’”
A community organizer for more than 23 years, McCowan is currently a Labor Leader and board member of the Walbridge Community Education Center.
The first in a series of McCowan fundraisers will be held, also on Thursday the 20th,
7 p.m. at Legacy Bookstore, 5249 Delmar (at Union).
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11 Comments
Turd Ferguson
Tuesday, 18th November 2008 at 3:08 PM
Damn! That was a start you gave me.
Well, excellent! We need more people to stop sitting scared and challenge Slay! I think Darlene Green would be the best of all worlds. (c’mon, Darlene, pleeeese?)
Jackson
Wednesday, 19th November 2008 at 11:26 AM
Green Party? I think that I remember them. They have one committeeman in Ward 22! What a strong bunch they are.
Quit Playan'
Saturday, 22nd November 2008 at 11:14 PM
@ Jackson-”…Green Party? I think that I remember them. They have one committeeman in Ward 22! What a strong bunch they are…”
Reply- If you know your history then you know that the same thing could have once been said about the GOP.
Thanks to Black Freemen that changed.
I wonder-most of all- if you’re the ‘hired hyena’ in the file room at the Clerk’s office who can always be counted on to belittle the aspirations of other Blacks who possess more courage than yourself.
If that’s the case I wouldn’t be surprised at your frustration as this would be your 14th or 15th year as a ’straw Supervisor’ who better not be caught acting like anything more than a High School Freshman.
Case-in-point
Turd Ferguson
Sunday, 23rd November 2008 at 2:01 PM
Hmm, a Green Party Primary in March would be interesting! Now we need credible a Dem challenger to Slay (besides Irene Smith; sorry, but I don’t think the Slay crowd will let curtain-gate down, that’s what cost her in 2004, it will cost her again).
Don’t belittle the Green Party, they got 21% of the vote in 2004, and that was before the Schools, Sherman George, towing scandal, etc ,etc, etc.
Jackson
Monday, 24th November 2008 at 11:15 AM
What worries me about the Green Party is the clique of white leftists in University City who run the party from their county homes. Will Elston stand up to those jerks?
Turd Ferguson
Monday, 24th November 2008 at 12:52 PM
You have a point. Maybe Peter Downs will run?
Jack
Monday, 1st December 2008 at 8:54 PM
Elston McCowan is Literaly a LOOSER , He was my Union Representative in the past and he was worthless , He was bought and paid for during negotiations , He would sometimes not show up on scheduled hearings regarding representation for employee’s that he was supposed to be the voice for. He’s A LOOSER and always will be , any person who votes for this guy is an Idiot.
anon
Monday, 1st December 2008 at 9:56 PM
I think you mean “loser.” Being loose is an odd way to describe someone.
Jackson
Sunday, 7th December 2008 at 4:42 PM
McCowan hasn’t even filed yet. Hmmm.
david
Tuesday, 23rd December 2008 at 12:07 AM
I have known Mr. McCowan for a long time and tell you that he is a man of character. Those union statements are from a disillusioned fraction. You could not find a better man to put into city hall. A candidate with a heart for the people. Obama has shown us it is time for a change. No longer politics as usual. Vote for a change St. louis deserves Vote for Elston McCowan.
Ben
Wednesday, 24th December 2008 at 2:46 PM
The McCowan campaign now has a new website with media gallery, platform planks, and discussion forum:
http://mccowan4mayor.com
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