Lewis Reed Says He'll Run for Mayor Again As Supporters Lament Another Francis Slay Term

By Sam Levin Wed., Mar. 6 2013 at 6:00 AM

"Absolutely, absolutely, absolutely," Reed replied when we asked if he'll be a mayoral candidate again in the future. "And the reason why is because when you look at the things that need to happen to build a stronger, safer St. Louis, you can't do them from the seat as president of the Board of Aldermen. All the resources and everything are encompassed in Room 200."

Then will he continue to butt heads with Slay as he did in the last few months of the race? (Reed will continue on as Board of Aldermen president).

He said, "If you get to the point where you're not supporting something, because of the person that's bringing it, then you need to leave office."

Sam Levin

Lewis Reed greets supporters after his speech.

As an elected official, he told reporters, "You are a representative of the people.... What I'm gonna continue doing is what I've always done. If the issue is an issue that I support, if it's a good idea, then I'm gonna support it. I'm gonna work on it.... If it's not, then I'm gonna raise questions about it."

He later added, "When you get in the ring, you expect to get hit. You just have to hit back. So I don't hold any ill will for them for doing everything in their power to win, because that's what they're supposed to do."

Supporters got in line to hug Reed, shake his hand -- and to urge him to run again at the end of the night.

"The story's just beginning," one told him.

"I'm hiding my tears," supporter Barb Mansker, 53, told Daily RFT. "Four more years? Nothing's gonna change.... But we gave him a run for his money and we'll do it again."

Continue for more photos from the election party.

We Recommend

JamesMadison topcommenter

One would think the Democrats own the mayor office in Saint Louis. To all the Reed supporters that dislike Slay, vote for the GOP candidate in the real election. Send the message to the Democrat bosses, you will not vote blindly for their chosen puppet.

KITTY

As a Republican in a very Democratic city, I have to vote for the lesser of evils of the Democratic candidates every election or stay home. I have to say, Mayor Slay has done a fine job as mayor, especially since the city is so racially divided. As far as Reed, he ran a racist campaign - that slave kissing Slay's fee by the Arch was way beyond the pale. (Of course he blamed it on someone else.) So, Mr. Mayor I wish you another good term in office. Now it's time for you to get behind the proposed legislation to decriminalize marijuana!!!! Remember, weed will be with us forever, just like STD's and crooked politicans.