ST. LOUIS — City Treasurer Tishaura Jones won the St. Louis mayor's race Tuesday, defeating Alderman Cara Spencer in a contest matching two progressive Democratic women.
Unofficial final returns showed Jones pulling in about 52% of the vote and Spencer about 48%.
"It's time for St. Louis to thrive," Jones, who will be the first Black woman to hold the office, told cheering supporters Tuesday night at the Omega Center in north St. Louis. "It's time to bring a breath of fresh air to our neighborhoods."
Jones reiterated that she will seek to address inequities in the delivery of city services and "will not stay silent" when she spots racism, homophobia, xenophobia or religious intolerance.
"I will not stay silent when I spot any injustice," she declared.
Jones, 49, also said her campaign had "begun breaking down the historic racial barriers and the racial divides that exist and have existed for generations" in the city.
Spencer conceded at her watch party outside the Mahler Ballroom in the Central West End, surrounded by supporters.
"I'm proud to be a citizen of St. Louis tonight," Spencer said. "The treasurer was my opponent but she is not my enemy. The people of St. Louis have spoken, and I pledge my support to Mayor-elect Tishaura Jones to move our city forward."
St. Louis mayoral vote margins
April 7, 2021
Tishaura Jones won the race for mayor with strong vote margins Tuesday across north St. Louis. Jones' support also extended to several south city wards, including her opponent Cara Spencer's 20th Ward, which Jones won by 9 percentage points.
Mark Schlinkmann, St Louis Post Dispatch, STLToday.com, April 7, 2021
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April 8, 2021
Voices4America Post Script. St.Louis made history today, electing a black woman as its mayor. Congratulations to St.Louis and its new Mayor. #BLM #TishauraJones