By Matt Sepic, KWMU
St. Louis – St. Louis Mayor Francis Slay won decisively in Tuesday's Democratic primary.
Slay got more than 61 percent of the vote, beating former alderwoman Irene J. Smith, who had 32 percent, and attorney Denise Watson-Wesley Coleman, who had 6.5 percent. Slay credited a strong two-term record for his win.
"Our neighborhoods are stronger through a lot of the efforts we've undertaken," Slay said. "I think we've been able to demonstrate that our efforts have borne a lot of fruit."
No Republicans are running for mayor, but in the April 7 general election Slay will face independent candidate Maida Coleman, Libertarian Robb Cunningham, and Elston McCowan, who won the Green Party primary.
McCowan said running against the incumbent will be a big challenge.
"I'm a minister, so overwhelming obstacles and fighting giants is something I encourage the people in my church to do on a regular basis."
ALDERMANIC RACES
City voters in odd-numbered wards picked aldermen yesterday.
In those races, most incumbents ran without opposition and those who were challenged, including Charles Quincy Troupe and Freeman Bosley Sr., held onto their seats.
However in the 21st Ward on the north side, blogger and political consultant Antonio French beat Alderwoman Bennice Jones King with 61 percent of the vote. French said he'll make redevelopment a priority.
"One of the big plans here is our Natural Bridge strip, which should really be the main commercial district for the ward," French said. "There's so much potential right now."
On the south side, Joe Vaccaro won a seven-way race for an open seat with 49 percent of the vote. and Shane Cohn won beat three other Democrats to replace retiring alderwoman Dorothy Kirner.