This article first appeared in the St. Louis Beacon, Nov. 4, 2011 - Ordinarily, special elections in politically polarized state House districts wouldn't offer any surprises.
But that's not the case in Tuesday's special-election contests in the Democratic-leaning 83rd District in central St. Louis County and the GOP-leaning 15th in St. Charles. Both are open seats because of last spring's local elections, in which the 83rd's legislator -- Democrat Jake Zimmerman -- was elected St. Louis County assessor, while Republican Sally Faith in the 15th was elected the new mayor of St. Charles.
The 83rd, in particular, is prompting a frenzy of political fighting -- largely because of the unexpected three-way battle between Democrat Jeff O'Connell, Republican Patrick Brennan and independent (really a Democrat) Tracy McCreery.
McCreery has launched an independent bid after losing out to O'Connell in the Democratic selection process. The 10 township committeepeople in the district -- which spans from Charlack to University City, taking in all or part of Sycamore Hills, Olivette and Overland -- were the ones who voted.
O'Connell, Midland Township's committeeman, was among those voting in the weighted process, based on Democratic turnout. McCreery notes that seven of the 10 committeepeople backed her.
O'Connell, a former member of the Overland City Council, currently is the business agent for Laborers Local 42. His supporters include many of the region's Democratic officials, including U.S. Rep. William Lacy Clay, D-St. Louis, County Councilwoman Kathleen Kelly Burkett, D-Overland, and state Sen. Maria Chappelle-Nadal, D-University City.
Chappelle-Nadal several weeks ago sent out a letter saying that Democrats who side with McCreery are risking allowing a Republican to win.
O'Connell contends that McCreery is engaging in "a sour grapes campaign and putting herself ahead of the party." He adds that he believes he's "in good shape'' heading into the election and predicts that Republican Brennan will garner more votes than McCreery.
McCreery says that she's simply trying to give the 83rd District's voters a choice. She says she is a better philosophical fit for the district. "I wouldn't be doing this if I thought there was any chance the Republican would win,'' she added.
McCreery is the long-time district aide to former state Sen. Joan Bray, D-University City, who is campaigning for her. McCreery also has the backing of the local chapter of the National Women's Political Caucus, both of the region's major reproductive-rights groups -- Planned Parenthood's political arm (Planned Parenthood VOTES St. Louis) and NARAL Pro-Choice Missouri -- as well as PROMO, the region's major gay-rights organization.
McCreery also has endorsements from about a half-dozen women legislators.
"I'm someone who is willing to speak out to represent those without a voice,'' McCreery said.
O'Connell, who has strong support from area labor unions, says his campaign is focusing on jobs.
The battle appears to have put Zimmerman in a difficult spot. The latest issue of the Jewish Light, for example, includes dueling ads promoting McCreery or O'Connell. Zimmerman is in both spots. McCreery's ad includes complimentary words from Zimmerman, while O'Connell's features an actual endorsement.
Zimmerman said in a statement to the Beacon that he considers each of the candidates to be a friend, and that each is qualified. But O'Connell, he added, "is the choice of my party, and he is also my choice."
Meanwhile, the state GOP has sought to take advantage of the dispute by sending out a mailer promoting Brennan. State Republican Party executive director Lloyd Smith contends that "Missourians are continuing to reject the failed liberal policies of Democrats in Washington and Missouri," and that Brennan fits the new times.
Brennan, a construction worker, says he is campaigning on "less government."
"I believe there is less hiring because businesses are consumed with regulations and taxes,'' he said. Brennan also emphasized his opposition to abortion.
The latest campaign-finance reports show that McCreery and O'Connell are neck-and-neck, moneywise. Each has raised roughly $40,000 apiece. McCreery received some last-minute donations from women's rights activists and groups, while O'Connell collected late contributions from unions and several Democratic lawmakers.
State Rep. Mary Nichols, D-Maryland Heights, said she has made calls on O'Connell's behalf, but she is not happy about the split. "It's just unfortunate that it has come down this way," she said.
15th District, St. Charles
Meanwhile, the 15th District takes in much of eastern St. Charles County. Three candidates -- Republican Chrissy Sommer, Democrat Paul Woody and Libertarian Bill Slantz -- were selected by their parties to compete to succeed Faith.
Sommer, a graduate of the University of Missouri-St. Louis, worked for her father's janitorial company for over 30 years. When her father retired and sold the business, she decided to get involved in electoral politics. Sommer was elected in 2008 and 2010 to serve on the St. Charles County Republican Central Committee.
If she's elected, Sommer said she would look at how state government is affecting businesses throughout the state. According to a platform on her website, Sommer also favors requiring a government-issued photo ID to vote, restricting abortion rights and curtailing eminent domain for private purposes.
"To me, businesses and education are the backbone of our country," Sommer said. "If we don't have both of those in line, everything else seems to falter."
Woody, a native of Independence who received undergraduate and law school degrees from St. Louis University, worked as a public events and travel staffer for then-Gov. Bob Holden in the early 2000s He later became the director of communications and policy for House Democrats before going to law school. An attorney, Woody currently runs a general practice firm.
Woody unsuccessfully ran against Faith in 2010. Woody said in an interview his contest is an opportunity for a Democratic gain, particularly since special-election turnouts tend to be low and attract the most politically active. He notes the 15th has been held by Democrats as well as Republicans.
"We have a pretty important legislative session coming up. We have a seat that represents 40,000 people roughly," Woody said. "Those people need to know they have a voice in Jefferson City and a voice that is prepared to go down to represent them effectively immediately."
Woody said he was "extremely frustrated" with the legislature's failure to pass an economic development package this year. He also said he would support legislation capping property taxes for seniors on fixed incomes.
Slantz, the Libertarian candidate, works for a company that provides consulting services to radio and television broadcasters.
Slantz did not reply to messages from the Beacon, but a platform on his website calls for repealing Missouri's income tax and ending federal and state influences on public schools.
Like Woody, Slantz ran for the seat in 2010.
The two major party candidates have raised similar amounts of money for the special election, according to the candidates' latest disclosure reports. Sommer has raised about $38,200, spent $30,556 and has $7,653 of cash on hand. Woody has taken in 32,328.54, spent 20,842.80 and has 11,485.74.
Slantz has filed "limited activity reports," indicating that he hasn't spent or raised a significant amount of money.
