In the News
Overarching Podcast: Who Wants to be Mayor of St. Louis? Cara Spencer Does
Current 8th Ward Alderwoman, Cara Spencer, is running for Mayor of St. Louis for a second time. With 68% of the vote in the primary elections, she is likely to become the city's next executive head. David, Bradley, and Colin have a conversation with the hopeful candidate. Topics: Solar bikes from 1995, Public Transit, city/county merger, Developers’ relationships with those in power.
Current 8th Ward Alderwoman, Cara Spencer, is running for Mayor of St. Louis for a second time. With 68% of the vote in the primary elections, she is likely to become the city's next executive head. David, Bradley, and Colin have a conversation with the hopeful candidate. Topics: Solar bikes from 1995, Public Transit, city/county merger, Developers’ relationships with those in power.
Watch here >
OutInSTL: Cara Spencer Makes Big LGBTQ+ Push in Campaign’s Final Weekend
Alderwoman Cara Spencer has made frequent appearances in LGBTQ+ spaces throughout the campaign. On Sunday, Bastille will host a meet and greet for her at 1:30 p.m. The bar will be serving pork carnitas and street corn. At 3:00, Just John will host a “Sashay to the Ballot Box” event for the candidate.
Alderwoman Cara Spencer has made frequent appearances in LGBTQ+ spaces throughout the campaign. On Sunday, Bastille will host a meet and greet for her at 1:30 p.m. The bar will be serving pork carnitas and street corn. At 3:00, Just John will host a “Sashay to the Ballot Box” event for the candidate.
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Post-Dispatch: Opinion: Don't use pro-choice resources to attack pro-choice Spencer
In this opinion piece, Sheila Greenbaum challenges Abortion Action Missouri’s decision to use its resources to support a mayoral campaign opposing Cara Spencer, whom she describes as a strong advocate for reproductive freedom. She argues that this action undermines the organization’s mission and misuses funds meant to advance abortion access, not to attack allies.
In this opinion piece, Sheila Greenbaum challenges Abortion Action Missouri’s decision to use its resources to support a mayoral campaign opposing Cara Spencer, whom she describes as a strong advocate for reproductive freedom. She argues that this action undermines the organization’s mission and misuses funds meant to advance abortion access, not to attack allies.
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Post-Dispatch: Holleman: Abortion-rights group again snubs Spencer for Jones in mayoral race
In Joe Holleman’s recent column, he writes that Abortion Action Missouri, which is drawing heat for its endorsement of St. Louis Mayor Tishaura O. Jones — and only Jones — in Tuesday’s mayoral race. That singular endorsement is in spite of the fact that Jones’ challenger, Alderwoman Cara Spencer, also is a steadfast supporter of reproductive rights.
In Joe Holleman’s recent column, he writes that Abortion Action Missouri, which is drawing heat for its endorsement of St. Louis Mayor Tishaura O. Jones — and only Jones — in Tuesday’s mayoral race. That singular endorsement is in spite of the fact that Jones’ challenger, Alderwoman Cara Spencer, also is a steadfast supporter of reproductive rights.
Post-Dispatch endorsement: We recommend Cara Spencer for St. Louis mayor
Alderwoman Spencer, this time, as last time, is stressing the importance of competently delivering those core services — snow removal, garbage collection, street repair, and, most of all, police protection. To “focus on doing the job of being a city,” as she put it to us recently. That focus was right four years ago and it’s doubly right now. Spencer has our enthusiastic endorsement for St. Louis mayor.
Alderwoman Spencer, this time, as last time, is stressing the importance of competently delivering those core services — snow removal, garbage collection, street repair, and, most of all, police protection. To “focus on doing the job of being a city,” as she put it to us recently. That focus was right four years ago and it’s doubly right now. Spencer has our enthusiastic endorsement for St. Louis mayor.
St. Louis Public Radio: St. Louis Democratic Central Committee endorses Spencer over Jones in mayor’s race
The St. Louis City Democratic Central Committee officially endorsed Alderwoman Cara Spencer for mayor on Saturday, a rare show of support for a challenger against an incumbent of the same party. The Democratic Central Committee met with 26 of 28 members from all 14 wards, and the group cast votes on whom to support for mayor and comptroller. Mayor Tishaura Jones had nine supporters in the final vote for mayor, and Spencer had 15, with two members abstaining.
The St. Louis City Democratic Central Committee officially endorsed Alderwoman Cara Spencer for mayor on Saturday, a rare show of support for a challenger against an incumbent of the same party. The Democratic Central Committee met with 26 of 28 members from all 14 wards, and the group cast votes on whom to support for mayor and comptroller. Mayor Tishaura Jones had nine supporters in the final vote for mayor, and Spencer had 15, with two members abstaining.
KSDK: St. Louis Democratic Party endorses Cara Spencer for mayor in 'unprecedented' vote against incumbent mayor
Top party officials from all 14 wards in the city gathered on Saturday morning for an open roll call vote to determine which candidates they would endorse in the upcoming April 8 election.
In an "unprecedented" move, the City of St. Louis Democratic Central Committee officially endorsed the challenger running against an incumbent mayor.
Top party officials from all 14 wards in the city gathered on Saturday morning for an open roll call vote to determine which candidates they would endorse in the upcoming April 8 election.
In an "unprecedented" move, the City of St. Louis Democratic Central Committee officially endorsed the challenger running against an incumbent mayor.
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Post-Dispatch: In rare move, St. Louis Democrats back Spencer over Jones for mayor
The city Democratic Central Committee on Saturday voted to endorse Alderwoman Cara Spencer against Mayor Tishaura O. Jones in the April mayoral election. The decision marked a rare instance of the party throwing its support against an incumbent Democratic mayor.
The city Democratic Central Committee on Saturday voted to endorse Alderwoman Cara Spencer against Mayor Tishaura O. Jones in the April mayoral election. The decision marked a rare instance of the party throwing its support against an incumbent Democratic mayor.
KSDK: Political Analysis on St. Louis Mayor's Race
KSDK’s Mark Maxwell discusses the mayoral race with political analyst Anita Manion.
KSDK’s Mark Maxwell discusses the mayoral race with political analyst Anita Manion.
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St. Louis Magazine: 5 takeaways from St. Louis’ mayoral primary
STL Magazine spoke with with political insiders about what to expect in the next five weeks between now and when St. Louis next goes to the polls, April 8.
STL Magazine spoke with with political insiders about what to expect in the next five weeks between now and when St. Louis next goes to the polls, April 8.
St. Louis American: Mayor Jones, Spencer to face off April 8th
In the March 4, 2025, St. Louis mayoral primary, Alderwoman Cara Spencer led with 68% of the vote, while incumbent Mayor Tishaura Jones received 33%. Both will advance to the April 8 general election. This sets up a rematch of their 2021 contest, where Jones narrowly defeated Spencer to become the city's first African-American female mayor. The upcoming election will determine if Jones secures a second term or if Spencer unseats her.
In the March 4, 2025, St. Louis mayoral primary, Alderwoman Cara Spencer led with 68% of the vote, while incumbent Mayor Tishaura Jones received 33%. Both will advance to the April 8 general election. This sets up a rematch of their 2021 contest, where Jones narrowly defeated Spencer to become the city's first African-American female mayor. The upcoming election will determine if Jones secures a second term or if Spencer unseats her.
Post-Dispatch: Spencer flipped south St. Louis areas that once backed Jones, grew support in north city
Four years ago, Treasurer Tishaura O. Jones beat Alderwoman Cara Spencer in the mayor’s race with a coalition built on overwhelming support from north St. Louis voters combined with comfortable spreads in progressive-leaning neighborhoods around Tower Grove Park. In a rematch Tuesday night, Spencer handily flipped the south side neighborhoods that backed Jones in 2021 and ate into the mayor’s margins in north St. Louis.
Four years ago, Treasurer Tishaura O. Jones beat Alderwoman Cara Spencer in the mayor’s race with a coalition built on overwhelming support from north St. Louis voters combined with comfortable spreads in progressive-leaning neighborhoods around Tower Grove Park. In a rematch Tuesday night, Spencer handily flipped the south side neighborhoods that backed Jones in 2021 and ate into the mayor’s margins in north St. Louis.
St. Louis Magazine: Spencer wins mayoral primary, with Jones a distant second
Next month’s St. Louis mayoral election will be a repeat of four years ago, except this time Alderwoman Cara Spencer has all the momentum. In Tuesday’s primary, under the city’s approval system, more than twice as many voters cast a ballot for Spencer than for incumbent Mayor Tishaura Jones, who narrowly beat her in 2021.
Jones’ showing was enough to squeeze out longshot candidate Recorder of Deeds Michael Butler for the second spot, but she‘ll be fighting an uphill battle the next five weeks leading up to the general election April 8.
Next month’s St. Louis mayoral election will be a repeat of four years ago, except this time Alderwoman Cara Spencer has all the momentum. In Tuesday’s primary, under the city’s approval system, more than twice as many voters cast a ballot for Spencer than for incumbent Mayor Tishaura Jones, who narrowly beat her in 2021.
Jones’ showing was enough to squeeze out longshot candidate Recorder of Deeds Michael Butler for the second spot, but she‘ll be fighting an uphill battle the next five weeks leading up to the general election April 8.
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On to the general election
This victory belongs to all of us. Every conversation, every door knocked, every vote cast — it all made a difference. But we’re not done yet. Now, the real contest begins. I need your help more than ever.
Wow — what a night! The results are in, and thanks to you, we’re moving on to the general!
Final numbers: Cara Spencer received 68.13% of the votes, Tishaura Jones 33.17%, Michael Butler 24%, and Andrew Jones 13.6%. The voter turnout for this election was 17.8%.
This victory belongs to all of us. Every conversation, every door knocked, every vote cast — it all made a difference. But we’re not done yet. Now, the real contest begins. I need your help more than ever.
To become mayor, I must win the majority of votes at the general election on April 8.
Let’s keep up the momentum! Talk to your friends, share our vision, and help us reach every voter in St. Louis. If you haven’t yet, visit my campaign website to learn more about my plans for setting St. Louis on a new trajectory upward.
And if you can, please chip in. Every dollar fuels this campaign to get us to the finish line with the most votes.
We’ve come this far together. Let’s complete the final stretch focusing on a brighter future for St. Louis!
KSDK: Mayoral frontrunner Cara Spencer discusses her vision for St. Louis
Cara sits down with Mark Maxwell to discuss some of her plans if elected as mayor, including the Rams money, transparency in government, and the CJC.
Cara sits down with Mark Maxwell to discuss some of her plans if elected as mayor, including Rams money, transparency in government, and the CJC.
Watch here ->
Nine PBS & STL Magazine: How would these mayoral candidates shore up public trust?
Interviews by Sarah Fenske with each of the mayoral candidates on the subject of public trust and accountability.
Interviews by Sarah Fenske with each of the mayoral candidates on the subject of public trust and accountability.
Watch here ->
KSDK: St. Louis mayoral candidates meet in forum ahead of primary election
Full video of mayoral candidate forum at Harris Stowe, moderated by Mark Maxwell.
Full video of mayoral candidate forum at Harris Stowe, moderated by Mark Maxwell.
Watch here ->
'Jail shouldn't be a death sentence': Deaths at St. Louis jail take center stage in mayoral race
Spencer has criticized the transition from the Workhouse closure as the City Justice Center faces severe staffing shortage.
Cara Spencer has criticized the transition from the Workhouse closure as the City Justice Center faces severe staffing shortage.
St. Louis Mayoral candidates face off at Transportation Infrastructure Forum
Infrastructure and transportation were the focus of Monday night’s mayoral forum. The four candidates vying for St. Louis mayor answered questions at Paraquad on Oakland Avenue. Discussions included planning, accessibility, and funding.
Infrastructure and transportation were the focus of Monday night’s mayoral forum. The four candidates vying for St. Louis mayor answered questions at Paraquad on Oakland Avenue. Discussions included planning, accessibility, and funding.
St. Louis primary election 2025: What to know to vote in the mayor's race
Incumbent Tishaura Jones faces three challengers in the race for the mayor's office: Recorder of Deeds Michael Butler, businessman Andrew Jones Jr. and Ward 8 Alderwoman Cara Spencer. The two candidates who receive the most votes in the March 4 primary will appear on the April 8 ballot.
Incumbent Tishaura Jones faces three challengers in the race for the mayor's office: Recorder of Deeds Michael Butler, businessman Andrew Jones Jr. and Ward 8 Alderwoman Cara Spencer. The two candidates who receive the most votes in the March 4 primary will appear on the April 8 ballot.