Democrats make their case for St. Louis County executive

For the first time in decades, Democratic voters will choose a nominee for an open St. Louis County executive seat.

County Executive Sam Page’s decision not to seek another full term has left state Sens. Brian Williams and Angela Walton Mosley and County Assessor Jake Zimmerman competing in the Aug. 4 Democratic primary for the chance to succeed him.

Missouri state Sen. Brian Williams of the 14th District made history in 2018 when he was elected the first Black man to serve in the Missouri Senate in two decades. Born and raised in Ferguson by a single mother, Williams believes he’s innately in tune with people who’ve grown up without much and struggled just to get by in today’s economy.

Before his election, Williams worked for former U.S. Rep. Lacy Clay, helping oversee Missouri’s rollout of the Affordable Care Act Marketplace.

Jake Zimmerman has served as St. Louis County assessor since 2011 after serving four years in the Missouri House. He has branded himself as “reassuringly nerdy” with a “wonky” persona while presenting himself as a policy-focused “fixer.”

State Sen. Angela Walton Mosley, elected in 2020, represents the 13th District, which includes parts of north St. Louis County. Her father, Elbert A. Walton Jr., is a former Missouri state representative. Her husband, Jay Mosley, and daughter, Chanel Mosley, serve in the Missouri House.

Mosley also serves as Senate Democratic minority caucus chair. She told St. Louis Public Radio the position requires listening to colleagues and helping lead Senate Democrats.

The St. Louis American asked the candidates four questions about the race. Mosley did not respond.

Asked what makes them the best candidate for county executive, Williams said the county needs someone with the experience “to get things done” even when people across the table disagree.

“I bring a record of delivering real results for St. Louis County. Over my career in the State Senate, I have secured nearly $100 million in state funding for this county, including $2 million to rebuild Kinloch, Missouri’s first Black city, and $8 million to redevelop Jamestown Mall after more than a decade of neglect,” Williams said.

Zimmerman said he’s the only candidate who has done “the hard work of running a piece of county government.”

“Giving speeches is easy. Balancing a budget, serving the taxpayers, caring for our employees, and upholding a commitment to running a diverse and professional office — that’s the hard part (and) this is no time for training wheels,” Zimmerman said.

“I know what it means to grow up without much … my mother worked multiple jobs to provide for our family … my grandmother made history as the first African American woman to hold an international appointment as a union autoworker,” Williams said. “From them, I learned that you show up and you do the work, you don’t wait for someone else to fix things for you.”

“As assessor, I have to be accountable to this community every day,” Zimmerman said. “When we get it wrong … people let us know!”

He said hearing directly from residents “is what makes me ready for the big job.”

Although she did not respond to The American’s questionnaire, Mosley told St. Louis Public Radio she would meet with department heads and employees who work on the ground because they often have the clearest understanding of what is and isn’t working inside county government.

Since Page was elected county executive in 2019, the relationship with the County Council has sometimes been marred by power struggles, legal battles and ethics investigations.

The American also asked the candidates how they would improve that relationship.

Mosley is involved in pending litigation with 4th District Councilwoman Shalonda Webb stemming from a physical altercation after a town hall meeting late last year. Mosley told St. Louis Public Radio she could work with Webb if elected.

“People should be able to work with people they don’t like,” Mosley told the station. “You still have to get a job done.”

Zimmerman compared the relationship to Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day.

“Remember the old book … Well, it’s like that … but worse,” he said. “It’s time to end the drama and get back to doing the real work.”

Williams said the county executive and County Council are separate branches of government for a reason.

“The relationship works best when it is built on respect, transparency and a shared commitment to results for residents, not gridlock or political posturing.”

He said he would treat council members “as a genuine partner, not an obstacle.”

Asked why they are seeking the office, Williams said he wants the opportunity to “come back home” and serve the region where he grew up.

Zimmerman said, “Nothing truly worth doing is easy. My parents raised me to believe that when we see a mess, we should try to fix it. God calls all of us to serve, and if my life can be a small part of making things better, then I believe it’s my responsibility to stay in the fight.”

Sylvester Brown Jr. is the Deaconess Foundation Community Advocacy Fellow.

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