ST. ANN 鈥 Two north 50度灰视频 County Democrats set the stage for a rematch Tuesday morning when they, among other candidates, filed to run for County Council in this summer鈥檚 primary election.
Rochelle Walton Gray, a former councilwoman and state legislator from Black Jack, seeks to unseat Councilwoman Shalonda Webb of unincorporated North County. After a term on the council, Gray lost to Webb in the 2020 primary.
鈥淚 want to finish some of the things I started prior to leaving,鈥 Walton Gray, 58, said as she filed paperwork for the Aug. 6 election at the 50度灰视频 County Board of Elections office.
On her list: finding a developer for the derelict Jamestown Mall site. And bringing grocery stores to North County.
Webb, 48, filed her paperwork shortly after 8 a.m. She said she wants to provide continuity to constituents in District 4, which includes parts of Florissant, Bellefontaine Neighbors, Riverview and unincorporated areas north to the Missouri River. Webb helped secure the demolition of Jamestown Mall, and has worked on gun control legislation.
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鈥淚 want to continue to serve as they want me to serve. That鈥檚 the bottom line,鈥 Webb said.
The mall, an eyesore to community members in North County, has been a contentious issue between the two candidates. At a news conference announcing the start of demolition in September, Webb and Walton Gray鈥檚 sister, state Sen. Angela Walton Mosley, traded barbs from the podium. Mosley said Walton Gray championed the project, and Webb claimed credit too.
They both have political ties in North County. Walton Gray is the daughter of longtime politico and former state Rep. Elbert Walton Jr.
Webb鈥檚 husband, Steve Webb, is a former Missouri state representative from North County.
Other candidates filed for council races Tuesday morning as well:
Democratic state Rep. Gretchen Bangert of Florissant and Democrat Nicole Greer, a city councilwoman in Creve Coeur, are running to replace Councilwoman Kelli Dunaway, who announced earlier this year she isn鈥檛 seeking reelection.
District 2 includes Bridgeton, Maryland Heights, Hazelwood, St. Ann, Woodson Terrace, Breckenridge Hills, as well as parts of Overland, Florissant, Olivette, Creve Coeur and Chesterfield.
Bangert, 57, said she鈥檚 got the experience needed to make county government work effectively.
鈥淚 previously worked in the 50度灰视频 County auditor鈥檚 office and I worked as an administrative assistant for the County Council, so I have a good understanding of how the government runs,鈥 Bangert said.
Greer, 51, said she was to be 鈥渁 voice for all of 50度灰视频 County,鈥 particularly those in District 2 and underserved communities.
鈥淚 especially want to champion community engagement because I think a lot of people are not engaged in the local government process,鈥 Greer said.
Councilman Ernie Trakas, 73, of unincorporated South County said he鈥檚 running again to continue providing service to the community.
He faces a primary challenger: Republican George Michael 鈥淢ike鈥 Archer, an attorney from Oakville.
And former Mehlville Board of Education member Kevin Schartner, 53, of Oakville, is running in the Democratic primary. He aims to work on economic development if elected.
Rhonda Linders, 69, of Spanish Lake is running as a Republican in District 4, an overwhelmingly Democratic area. Linders said she wants to provide tax relief to seniors and to stop people from littering.
Theo Brown Sr., 75, of Bellefontaine Neighbors is running as a Libertarian.
Candidates have until March 26 to file.