Again, like a lot of other blue cities, St. Louis has not had a Republican mayor since Aloys P. Kaufmann in 1949, a whopping 76 years ago. A lot of damage can be done in that amount of time, and the Gateway City is living proof. High crime, crumbling infrastructure, and numerous vacant buildings left to slowly decay do not bring businesses and new families into the city to live and work. On Tuesday night, Cara Spencer beat Tishaura Jones handily by a percentage of 64 to 36 percent. Those numbers mirrored the March primary. 

Read More:  St. Louis Mayoral Primary Race - Proof of Another City Democrats Are Wrecking

But also, as with a lot of cities, both blue and red, voter turnout for municipal elections is an issue. That played out in this race as well. In a city with roughly 220,000 registered voters, only about 50,000 showed up, not a good ratio. But ultimately, in the end, it doesn't matter who the progressive Democrat Mayor of St. Louis ends up being. It will be just that, some progressive Democrat. 

I don't want to sound like Debbie Downer. There are a lot of people who don't live in the city, myself included, and a lot of people who are not progressive Democrats that want Cara Spencer to succeed. They want her to succeed because St. Louis is our home, despite its flaws, we love it and want to see it thrive. But what are the odds that Cara Spencer and Tishaura Jones are really just the same person in a different body? 

Cara Spencer beats Tishaura Jones. Cara ran on, "We can do better"....well...I can't argue that, but the bar was set pretty damn low. Ms. Spencer's job is going to be bringing in business, which can't be done until St. Louis is safe. #stlouishttps://t.co/urc9Ur1CEW

— Jack Frosty-🇺🇸 (@JFrosty21636) April 9, 2025

Tishaura Jones, the city's first black female mayor, ran on some things that some city dwellers were skeptical of. She touted a drop in the homicide rate and pending investments in the downtrodden North side of the city, but she was also predictable in playing the race card, attempting to portray Spencer, who is white and hails from the South side of the city, that she would not be a good fit for black voters, many of whom live in North St. Louis. Spencer ran a mostly positive campaign, promising the usual vagaries like bringing "new energy and ideas to City Hall," but also making sure residents are getting basic city services like trash pickup, snow removal from city streets, cleaning up mismanagement in city departments, and ensuring city residents feel safe in their homes. Jones has faced much criticism for neglecting issues with trash pickup, resulting in mounting trash in parts of the city and city residential streets that took weeks to be rid of snow and dangerous patches of ice after a large storm in January. If Spencer can do just one of these things, she will be deemed a success.

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But how are these two people not one and the same? A quick look at Spencer's aldermanic voting record is interesting. From May of 2024 to the present, Spencer has not cast a nay vote for literally anything. While such things as redevelopment plans for various neighborhoods are understandable, St. Louis has a substantial amount of American Rescue Plan (ARPA) funds and funds from a settlement involving the departure of the St. Louis Rams football team. But what about yay votes for things like a bill that would create a "Diverse Construction Workforce" or "Living Wage Requirements?" Nothing screams progressivism like diversity and a living wage. There are also no nay votes on anything involving taxpayer money.

Once again, the residents of St. Louis, the ones who actually voted, acted on the same mindset they have for decades. "If we just elect different Democrats..." Finish that sentence any way you like. If the city of St. Louis had a vibrant Republican party capable of making inroads with residents, there might have been some chance for real change in the past or possibility for change in the future. I also wish Cara Spencer success in her new job, but to a point. Reality tells me it's the same old progressive Democrat package.

Cara Spencer just won the mayor’s race in St Louis!! Beat Tishaura Jones handily 64%-36%! Would have preferred a conservative Mayor for REAL change, but it appears city residents will continue to settle for the same old same old until the end of time…

— Seriously (@KathyOBryan6) April 9, 2025