On the this edition of the Politically Speaking podcast, St. Louis Public Radio’s Jason Rosenbaum and Jo Mannies welcome Alderman Lyda Krewson to the show for the second time.

The 28^th Ward alderman is one of seven Democratic candidates running to succeed St. Louis Mayor Francis Slay. We’re trying to get as many contenders on the podcast as possible before the March 7 primary.

The Moberly native has represented the city’s 28th Ward since 1997. Her ward includes some of the city’s most popular attractions, such as Forest Park, the St. Louis Zoo, part of  the Delmar Loop and the Central West End business districts.

Two years before her election, Krewson was thrust into the spotlight when her husband was killed as the family (including two young children) sat in their car outside their home. Since getting elected to the board, Krewson has often been at the forefront of hot-button issues. She was the primary sponsor of a citywide smoking ban and restriction of "dark money" in St. Louis-based races. And she recently sponsored a bill to add St. Louis to a local prescription drug registry. 

Since she announced her mayoral bid, Krewson has accumulated more money than her Democratic challengers. She’s also snagged endorsements from Slay and Gregory F.X. Daly, St. Louis Collector of Revenue. Those two could help Krewson gain crucial support in vote-rich south St. Louis.

• As she campaigns around the city, Krewson said "job one" for the next mayor is "neighborhood safety." "When I ask voters 'what's on your mind? What do you want to make sure the next mayor knows?'" she said, "invariably, they start talking about neighborhood safety in some way or another. They talk about something that happened around the corner from their house or something that they're concerned about — that sort of thing."

• She is not willing to commit to getting rid of St. Louis Police Chief Sam Dotson if she's elected mayor. "I am not of a mind that I'm ever going to go around saying who I would fire or who I would hire before I actually do it," she said. "I actually think that's unprofessional and bad business."

• Krewson is in favor of St. Louis in some way uniting with St. Louis County. "I am in favor of some form of reunification," she said. "Back in 1876, we got divorced — the city and the county. It's time we get remarried. But we need to get engaged first. We need to get the prenup worked out. Because it's a complicated thing."

• She said she appreciates Slay's endorsement, adding that St. Louis voters should "choose a mayor who's capable to choose the person that you think will be the most effective. I have a history of taking on the tough issues facing our community," she said. "Whether that is taking on big tobacco and passing the smoking ban; whether it is taking on the big drug companies and passing the prescription drug monitoring program; taking on the NRA all the way to the Supreme Court way back when we first had conceal and carry in this state." 

Follow Jason Rosenbaum on Twitter: @jrosenbaum

Follow Jo Mannies on Twitter: @jmannies

Follow Lyda Krewson on Twitter: @LydaKrewson

Music: “Be-Hi” by Thelonius Kryptonite & “Beautiful Day” by Thelonius Krptonite  

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