For the past month, the Forum staff has taken on profiling the issues and candidates for the upcoming mayoral race in St. Louis. Given the gravity of this public position, we believe it is imperative to provide Washington University voters with as much information on the election as possible. In our final profile on the primary, we ask Forum writers which candidates will take the strongest or most effective stances on the three major issues we have identified within the St. Louis city: education, crime and economic growth.

Who can best help improve the quality of public education in the city?

Tishaura Jones

Though Forum did not profile Tishuara Jones (her polling numbers were below 10 percent at the beginning of the series), her progressive, intensely detailed campaign is worth learning about if you are voting in this election. On education, Jones outperforms her peers handily. She has called for the consolidation of Saint Louis Public Schools (SLPS) with other surrounding school district (to better centralize organization and resources). That move could help SLPS gain standing as a decently performing district in the state. Jones also wants to eliminate tax abatements for land developers in the city to increase public school funding in the city. On the issue of education, Tishaura Jones is clearly the candidate with the most vision and ambition. —Peter Dissinger, Senior Forum Editor

Antonio French

On the issue of education, Antonio French has provided the groundwork for improving education in St. Louis. French has provided summer enrichment programs through his organization, the North Campus, including in-school tutoring and everyday after school tutoring for students within three neighborhoods in the St. Louis City. Providing a quality education is the best way to reduce prison population, improve economic stability and to improve public safety. Antonio French recognizes this and plans to use education as the starting ground to prepare St. Louis for the future. Antonio French has shown that he wants to find feasible ways to help St. Louis students immediately, and that is crucial for educational improvement in the city.
—Matt Wallace, Staff Writer

Who has the best plan to combat crime rates in St. Louis?

Antonio French

Aside from his normal duties as alderman, Antonio French worked closely with the city of St. Louis to develop a comprehensive crime-fighting plan. French has called for current St. Louis Police Chief Sam Dotson to be fired “on day one.” In a city with a notoriously high—and still rising—crime rate, drastic changes are necessary. French is the only candidate that has pledged to work diligently to combat this, no matter how tough the decisions and discussions may be, while other candidates, like Lyda Krewson and Lewis Reed, have only promised to open their door to input from various groups. —Aidan Strassmann, Staff Writer

Which candidate will put the city on the quickest (and most stable) path to financial stability?

Tishaura Jones

Although several of the primary frontrunners have impressive plans to rejuvenate the St. Louis economy, Tishaura Jones’ economic platform stands out as especially thorough and comprehensive. Jones’ plan highlights exactly what steps need to be taken to revitalize the St. Louis economy, including expansion of the limited Metrolink transit system, tax reform, partnership with technology startups and reduction of income inequality. Additionally, Jones describes exactly what measures she will institute to achieve her goals. Her clear, focused and specific platform is exactly what the St. Louis economy needs. —Jen McLish, Staff Writer

Antonio French

St. Louis small businesses have no stronger ally than mayoral candidate Antonio French. Although massive corporate deals in St. Louis’ central corridor often steal the headlines, French’s approach makes local businesses the priority. French plans to channel money into these businesses, especially those in low-income areas north and south of the city center, through grants and low-interest loans. He has also been a vocal opponent of plans to use taxpayer money to help fund the construction of a Major League Soccer stadium downtown. The path to financial stability will not run through a giant, glitzy stadium—it will instead be a thriving city street, full of bustling local businesses employing St. Louis residents. Antonio French knows this, and he has plans to make it happen. —Maddie Wilson, Contributing Writer