The city of ºüÀêÊÓƵ is a case study in the perils of single-party rule.
For more than half a century, Democrats have dominated the political landscape in ºüÀêÊÓƵ. Not since 1949 has the mayor had anything but a D after her or his name, and Democrats have controlled every aldermanic seat for more than a decade. As in Jefferson City, where Republicans hold a super majority that emboldens them to pass extreme legislation like the near-total abortion ban, city Democrats have embraced the fringes of the progressive left.
This transition to one-party leadership did not happen overnight, but recent fundamental changes to the way elections are run in the city mean that diverse political representation is once again within reach.
In the mid to late 20th century, Republicans steadily lost seats by bigger and bigger margins, making investment in candidates and the party riskier. Losing momentum, the central committee infrastructure all but dismantled, fundraising plummeted and many have now written off the GOP as a lost cause.
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In a traditional political system, it would take decades and millions of dollars in investment to create a viable alternative to a Democratic administration. However, voter passage of nonpartisan approval voting presents a once-in-a-generation opportunity for non-Democrats to have a shot at City Hall.
It’s difficult to overstate the significance of the structural changes to the ºüÀêÊÓƵ city election system and how they open up a pathway to victory for non-Democrat candidates. For aldermanic and mayoral races, candidates could run as a communist or a conservative, and voters wouldn’t know the difference in the ballot booth. There is enormous opportunity for non-Democrats, people with fresh ideas who find themselves frozen out of the establishment, to run smart campaigns and win. Races become less about party branding and more about the individual candidate’s vision for the city and campaign strategy: fundraising, endorsements, door knocking and paid media to start.
Other parallel developments only improve prospects for non-Democrat candidates. This year, aldermanic wards consolidate from 28 to 14, significantly reducing incumbent advantage. City Democrats, despite a strong institutional advantage, are relatively weak fundraisers. And lastly, but certainly not least, voters are weary and frustrated by the audacious corruption displayed by senior members of the Democratic establishment. Corruption almost always lays the groundwork for change — as it should.
But, as we know, politics is a numbers game. And in this scenario, voter turnout analysis only strengthens the argument for why non-Democrats finally have a pathway to victory. Despite perception that city progressives are aggressive grassroots organizers, the city consistently logs abysmal voter turnout. In April 2021, with a mayor’s race at the top of the ticket, only 29% of registered voters voted. In the September 2022 special primary to fill the aldermanic president vacancy, only 6% turned out.
More than half of registered voters consistently stay home when it comes time to vote for seats at City Hall. Why? Do they feel their voices don’t matter? Do they feel resigned to the status quo? Are they waiting for change? All questions worth serious thought.
People are frustrated watching other Midwestern cities like Cincinnati and Indianapolis experience an era of new development while ºüÀêÊÓƵ businesses large and small shutter or move away. Nonprofits and foundations can only do so much to help the region thrive, and we’re fortunate that civic leaders have continued to invest in the city. Developments like Cortex and the Delmar Divine all lift ºüÀêÊÓƵ in the right direction. But when elected leaders refer to tax incentives as corporate welfare and the news covers one bribery scandal after another, companies will continue to fly over ºüÀêÊÓƵ.
When the city consistently ranks atop most-dangerous lists and residents reasonably fear carjackings in the grocery store parking lot, families will flee. The systemic causes of our city’s decline — crime, corruption and crumbling infrastructure — can only be addressed by those in elected office.
If an opposition party can mobilize to drive home messaging around low-hanging fruit, like the proposal by Democratic aldermen to double their own salaries, recruit viable candidates who talk about potholes not politics, and present real, alternative solutions to our city’s most pressing problems, non-Democrats can play a pivotal role in reshaping our city.
ºüÀêÊÓƵ has suffered greatly from the loss of dissenting voices at City Hall, and it’s critical we take this opportunity to bring them back.
Jamie Corley, a fifth generation ºüÀêÊÓƵan, is a former Republican press secretary in the U.S. House of Representatives and U.S. Senate.