The Republican nominee for St. Louis circuit attorney, Daniel Zdrodowski, is the latest guest on Politically Speaking. He joined St. Louis Public Radio’s Rachel Lippmann to discuss his philosophy for the office and his strategy in his campaign against incumbent Democrat Kim Gardner.
Gardner has also received an invitation to record an episode of Politically Speaking.
Here’s what Zdrodowski talked about on the show:
- How he believes Gardner’s refusal to prosecute certain cases, for a variety of reasons, has led to a spike in violent crime in St. Louis. As of Wednesday, there had been 191 people killed in the city — just three fewer than all of last year. The city is on pace for nearly 270 homicides, which could set a new record.
- His mixed feelings about legislation pending in the Missouri House of Representatives that would allow the state attorney general to prosecute first- and second-degree murder cases under certain circumstances. While Zdrodowski generally opposes state government meddling in local affairs, he said, “I believe that the city has gotten so bad that any necessary help should be welcomed or at least be open to.”
- How campaigning in north St. Louis could make the race close, even in a heavily Democratic city. “I’m getting to know the voters out there, getting to hear what things are their biggest concerns, and letting them know there is an alternative option to the Democrats,” he said.
Zdrodowski had stints as a boarding house operator, a bouncer and a country recording artist before attending law school at St. Louis University. He then spent six years at firms throughout the St. Louis region handling a variety of cases before starting his own firm.
He was one of Mayor Lyda Krewson’s original nominees to the Board of Freeholders but withdrew from the process so he could run for office.
Follow Rachel on Twitter: @rlippmann
Music: “Spring,” by Antonio Vivaldi, performed by the Classical Concert Chamber Orchestra
