Alderwoman Cara Spencer on Tuesday won election to become the 48th mayor of St. Louis, soundly defeating incumbent Tishaura Jones, who won’t get a second term.
Spencer won 64% of the vote, with Jones, who narrowly survived a March primary, getting 36% of Tuesday’s vote.
A supporter celebrates as St. Louis Mayor-Elect Cara Spencer speaks during her campaign watch party at Union Station on April 8, 2025 in St. Louis. Photo by Michael B. Thomas for SLBJ. Expand to read more
Michael B. Thomas for SLBJ.
Spencer, at a party at Union Station, said in a victory speech that her campaign had been based on “the simple idea that St. Louis can do better.”
“St. Louis can be a place where everyone can have the tools that they need to survive…” Spencer said, adding that she’d work to improve downtown, but also north and south St. Louis.
She also thanked Jones for her service, and said they share a “deep love and commitment to our city.”
Showing up to Spencer’s party were Bob and Steve O’Loughlin, whose Lodging Hospitality Management operates Union Station; developers Amos Harris, Steve Stogel and John Berglund; St. Charles Mayor Dan Borgmeyer; and Jason Deem, whose real estate holdings are around Cherokee Street, long represented by Spencer.
Interim Greater St. Louis Inc. chief Dustin Allison also made an appearance. The business group said in a statement after Spencer’s win that “St. Louis City voters have made clear their desire for change, and we look forward to working with Mayor-elect Spencer and her team to ensure a smooth transition into office and to building a strong relationship so that we can act strategically and with urgency to get the City of St. Louis growing again.”
GSL also thanked Jones for her service.
Also Tuesday, Donna Baringer defeated incumbent Comptroller Darlene Green for that office, which, with the mayor and aldermanic president, holds a seat on the powerful, three-member city fiscal board Estimate and Apportionment.
Aldermanic President Megan Green in a statement thanked Jones and Darlene Green for their service, and congratulated Spencer and Baringer, then said: “To those concerned that our leaders don’t reflect the diversity of our city, my promise to you is this: I will continue to use my position to represent the interests of Black and Brown St. Louisans, working people and families, and those seeking to build a new life in our city.”
“So if you feel that your voice wasn’t heard today, know that I am still listening, still advocating, and still working on your behalf,” Megan Green said.
National politicians also took notice.
U.S. Sen. Eric Schmitt, Republican of Missouri, celebrated by noting that Jones allies Kim Gardner, former circuit attorney, and Cori Bush, former U.S. representative, were previously ousted from office.
“Poof!” he said on X. “First Kim Gardner, then Cori Bush, now Tishaura Jones – all gone. Like magic.”
Poof! First Kim Gardner, then Cori Bush, now Tishara Jones — all gone.
Like magic.
— Eric Schmitt (@Eric_Schmitt) April 9, 2025
The mayoral race, a rematch from Jones’ win in 2021, featured dozens of community events between the officials over weeks. It became a referendum on Jones’ record in office, as she oversaw major investments of federal money, increased North City investment and decreases in crime – but struggled to stabilize downtown, stem continued population loss and satisfactorily deliver government services.
Spencer, in the legislative branch since 2015, seized on those problems with potholes, trash pickup and snow removal, promising to add urgency to the task of doing the job of a local government. And she sharply criticized complaints that some of the federal money, particularly to a North City grant program, wasn’t properly spent, as she said she’d look to replace leadership at overseer St. Louis Development Corp. Spencer also expressed a willingness for the city to re-enter St. Louis County and for the city to get a professional manager, which could strip some operational power from the mayor.
And her bid got the backing of large business interests, as Spencer significantly outraised Jones, particularly as the race reached its conclusion.
After the March primary, when Spencer got more than twice as many approval votes as Jones and then picked up the endorsement of the city’s Democratic Party, Jones went on the offensive, attacking Spencer’s ties to wealthy campaign donors, particularly Bob Clark, executive chairman of construction firm Clayco. Clark had sparred with Jones over a development he backed that was rejected by the city.
But the large gap in support proved too much for Jones, who also oversaw recent decreased development, faced scrutiny for her aggressive travel practices, endured high-profile spats with jail and personnel chiefs, and lost control of the city’s police department to the state of Missouri.
She was aided in the campaign by longtime adviser Rosetta Okohson. Spencer’s campaign manager was Charlie Goldstein.
Jones’ term ends April 14, meaning Spencer faces an extraordinarily tight transition timeline. Her team, led by Nancy Hawes, has indicated key personnel announcements will come quickly.
Other election results follow below:
Comptroller
Donna Baringer (51%) defeated incumbent Darlene Green (48%) in the race for city comptroller, which has a seat on the three-member powerful fiscal board Estimate and Apportionment.
Aldermanic races
Ward 1
Anne Schweitzer 69%
Tony Kirchner 31%
Ward 3
Dallas Adams 47%
Shane Cohn 52%
Ward 5
Matt Devoti (100%)
Ward 7
Alisha Sonnier 66%
Cedric Redmon 33%
Ward 9
Michael Browning 100%
Ward 11
Laura Keys 56%
Rebecca McCloud 44%
Ward 13
Pamela Boyd 100%
St. Louis Board of Education: The three candidates winning seats were: Karen Collins-Adams, Brian Marston and AJ Foster
Saint Louis Community College Trustee: Holly Talir won a seat
