ST. LOUIS—The race for St. Louis mayor got some more definition Thursday, with Alderwoman Cara Spencer’s announcement that she would seek the office a second time in 2025. Spencer, who was first elected to the Board of Aldermen in 2015, representing what was then the 20th ward, ran for mayor in 2021, losing to Tishaura Jones in the general election
Spencer said in a social media post that she was running to make the city grow, make it safer and make it work.
“Despite hundreds of millions of federal COVID dollars - our roads are in terrible shape, people still don’t feel safe in our communities and we are losing population at a record pace. Reckless drivers are out of control and trash doesn’t get picked up with the regularity we all deserve. Our city isn’t meeting the needs of her people,” Spencer wrote.
Spencer represents a ward that stretches from the Dome at America's Center through downtown and south, hugging the riverfront to Bellerive Park. She plans an in-person campaign kickoff June 4.
Jones formally launched her re-election campaign last week, citing the work her administration has done to invest federal American Rescue Plan Act funding, particularly in areas of north St. Louis that have been the victims of disinvestment over decades. Jones has also overseen changes to the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department, including the hiring of the agency’s first chief from outside the department in city history.
“It’s a democratically elected society. Anybody who can run will, and I’m certain we’ll see her on the campaign trail,” Jones told reporters Thursday afternoon of Spencer’s announcement.
Another potential candidate confirmed Thursday that he will not seek the post in 2025.
State Rep. Steve Butz, who represents parts of south St. Louis in the Missouri House and had been rumored to be looking at it, told Spectrum News Thursday that he’ll remain in the race for his House seat and if successful, plans to run for the State Senate seat currently held by Karla May. May is a candidate for the U.S. Senate, and if unsuccessful, would be term limited in the Missouri Senate in 2026.