St. Louis County Councilwoman-elect Shalonda Webb is the latest guest on Politically Speaking, where she talked with St. Louis Public Radio’s Jason Rosenbaum about her priorities for the north St. Louis County-based 4th District.
The Democrat won the race to represent the district in November. It includes municipalities like Florissant, Bellefontaine Neighbors and Black Jack, as well as unincorporated communities like Spanish Lake. She’ll take office in January.
Here’s what Webb discussed during the show:
- Her Democratic primary win in August over incumbent Rochelle Walton Gray. That victory was tantamount to election, since the 4th District is overwhelmingly Democratic.
- How people in her district, which is predominantly African American, are handling the COVID-19 pandemic. St. Louis County Executive Sam Page has been at odds with some council members over how he has reacted to the virus’ spread.
- Longstanding efforts to redevelop the closed Jamestown Mall. She said it will cost millions of dollars to tear the mall down and added she’s hoping it’s replaced with a mixed-use facility.
- The possibility that she could be a key vote to override any vetoes, given the council's division about Page. But Webb added that her main focus is to advocate for North County on the council.
Webb is a Port Arthur, Texas, native who has spent her career at the Boeing Co. She is married to former state Rep. Steve Webb, D-St. Louis County.
Webb ran against Walton Gray and Mark Behlmann in the August primary. She received backing from U.S. Rep. Lacy Clay, D-University City, and state Sen. Gina Walsh, D-Bellefontaine Neighbors. She ended up beating both of her Democratic opponents by close to 10 percentage points.
Follow Jason Rosenbaum on Twitter: @jrosenbaum
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