Republican and former gubernatorial candidate Dave Spence recently gained a hefty amount of publicity after being appointed to the Police Board in St. Louis County by County Executive Charlie Dooley. Dooley, a Democrat, faced some rough fall back because of his decision to appoint Spence. Dooley has lost the support of several labor unions in the area because of his decision to bring in a Republican, pro-“Right to Work” police board member. But, Spence is still involved. Here’s his take on some questions from publisher Scott Faughn.
1. The Missouri Times: What have you been up to since the elections?
Dave Spence: With three out of four in college, it has changed the dynamics at home. We often reflect on the campaign and realize what a blur it was last year. The state is now suffering with the “play defense” type of leadership that Gov. Nixon represents. It makes me sick to see the lack of leadership on economic issues including tort reform and tax reform. I am back in the world that I left to run for Governor. The private sector seems very sane to me compared to the cutthroat world of politics. The contract pharmaceutical company, Legacy Packaging, is growing rapidly and I have really enjoyed getting more involved. We are up to 300 employees, so we are leading by example in helping the Missouri economy. We have travelled quite a bit and enjoyed catching up with each other and our friends and family.
2. TMT: With all of the controversy swirling around the St. Louis County Police Board, why would you want to get involved by taking the nomination?
Spence: What happened in the past happened in the past. I happen to know a few people on the force and I’m a resident of St. Louis County and when a position opened up, I called a member of the board, Ray Wagner, and told him I would like to serve and give back to my community.
3. TMT: How much about the current controversy were you aware of when you agreed to serve?
Spence: I really only knew what I had read in the papers. My job isn’t to be judge and jury over the past, but to get things back down to the usual course of business.
4. TMT: What have you learned about the controversy since your appointment?
Spence: I don’t know if we will ever know 100 percent of what happened, but I understand some people are uncomfortable about how a contact was let. I do know Greg Sansone, but I do not know the details surrounding what went on.
5. TMT: I assume you didn’t take this appointment because of your support for Charlie Dooley?
Spence: I think there is an opportunity to turn a negative into a positive if we can realign the board and work hard and get the public perception turned around. I don’t think it’s about politics. I don’t think it’s about for or against Charlie Dooley — both he and his staff have always been straight with me. I have no dog in the fight for or against Charlie Dooley. I would like to serve the police force and support staff as well as the people of St. Louis County. I have no agenda whatsoever, but to give back. My agenda is no agenda.
6. TMT: Do you believe Charlie Dooley should run for re-election?
Spence: That is really not my decision. That is up to Charlie, his staff and his family.
7. TMT: Have you been contacted by the FBI?
Spence: No, I have not. However, I am willing to submit to and FBI background check before being confirmed.
8. TMT: Your relationship with labor has been a portion of the discussion of your nomination. What is your relationship with the St. Louis Labor community?
Spence: Well first of all, I know a lot of the leaders in the area and have a lot of friends are union members. I met with many of them while running for Governor. In my world, you can have differences and still get along. Some people don’t believe in that philosophy.
I don’t feel that my views on Right to Work have anything to do with sitting on the police board. My view on Right to Work stems from the fact that we were 48th in growth at that time and we had to do something to turn that around, but my goal was never to agitate construction trades or any union. I want to see more people in the trades working union or not. My belief came from owning a manufacturing company and I went through a union organization attempt that was basically an assault on our family and the company. No one should have to go through that, in my opinion. Also, anyone that thinks we are thriving in rural Missouri should look at the number of empty buildings that once housed a thriving manufacturing base in our state.
9. TMT: Speaking of Right to Work, some Republicans are talking about placing it on the ballot next year. Do you favor putting Right to Work on the ballot?
Spence: I think that would be a huge mistake. I am not for putting it on the ballot. I think it would be a waste of money and a way to divide Missourians. I don’t think we should be concentrating on Right to Work right now there are too many things a state that is now 47th in growth that we can do that unite us. We should be concentrating on issues that bring us together versus causing rifts. Fixing our schools is something that comes to mind that we all care about and can unite behind and I think that would be a better use of our time and resources.
10. TMT: Have you considered withdrawing your name from consideration?
Spence: No, I have done nothing wrong and I believe I could do the job. However, obviously if things get so ugly no one would want to be a part of it, then I would withdraw. Just because a situation is tough is no reason to back away. A million people in St. Louis County rely on that board to make good decisions, leave emotion and politics at the door and do their job as a citizen doing the right thing.
Scott Faughn is the publisher of The Missouri Times, owner of the Clayton Times in Clayton; SEMO Times in Poplar Bluff; and host of the only statewide political television show, This Week in Missouri Politics.
