St. Louis Treasurer Tishaura Jones, one of four candidates in the March 2 mayoral primary, is the latest guest on Politically Speaking. She joined St. Louis Public Radio’s Rachel Lippmann to discuss her plans to improve St. Louis’ reputation, address its vast racial divides and make a second run for mayor under a brand-new system of voting.
Here’s what Jones talked about on the show:
- Though Jones is not the only candidate to win a citywide race, she points out that she is the only one elected to an executive branch office. “I’m the only candidate with the executive experience of turning a vision into a reality, the management experience of leading a staff of hundreds of people, and the relationships on the state and national levels to put St. Louis back on the map,” she said.
- The city needs to have tough conversations about its racist history, and Jones believes she is the best person to open that dialog. She is a St. Louis native raising a son in her hometown. “I believe the people closest to the problem are closest to the solution,” she said.
- Jones believes that acting on the recommendations of the reports issued by For the Sake of All and the Ferguson Commission will position the city well for corporate and philanthropic investment. There is no better strategic plan than one based on research that’s already been done, she said.
Jones spent four years in the Missouri House of Representatives before running for treasurer. She also has experience in the health care and finance fields.
You can find an episode about the mayor’s race with Alderwoman Cara Spencer, D-20th Ward, here. Utility executive Andrew Jones and Board of Aldermen President Lewis Reed will be recording episodes at a later date.
Follow Rachel on Twitter: @rlippmann
Follow Tishaura Jones on Twitter: @Tishaura
Music: “Instrumental #1,” by Seth Ashley.
