St. Louis Mayor Francis Slay, the longest serving and one of the most successful mayors in city history, announced Friday that he would not seek re-election in 2017, ending a 16-year run.
The announcement caps a triumphant week for Slay after the NGA announced it would stay in St. Louis and the earnings tax was renewed by an overwhelming margin in Tuesday’s elections.
“Although St. Louis is still very recognizably the city that I have represented in one elected position or another since 1985, it is also a city that has slowly won back some of its swagger as a place to start a business, to raise a family, and to walk and ride a bicycle to work,” Slay said in his announcement. “I love what we are becoming.”
As news of the announcement spread Tuesday morning, reaction came in from across the city.
“I want to thank Mayor Slay for his lifetime of service to our city, state and region,” said Sen. Jamilah Nasheed, D-St. Louis, in a statement. “The mayor and I have not seen eye to eye on every issue, but we have agreed on the issues that matter. When it comes to the City of St. Louis, Mayor Slay and I have always been on the same team. As a mayor, he will be remembered as a true public servant and I wish him prosperity in his future endeavors.”
“Mayor Slay has provided a steady hand on the mast of City government,” said Sen. Scott Sifton, D-St. Louis. “A true regional leader in every sense of the word.”
Other Missouri leaders praised Slay on Twitter.
Thx to my friend @MayorSlay for his strong leadership of #STL. Looking fwd to many more accomplishments in his last yr at the helm
— Governor Jay Nixon (@GovJayNixon) April 8, 2016
.@MayorSlay has done a great job for #STL. Look forward to his leadership as we work together in his last year as mayor. — Senator Roy Blunt (@RoyBlunt) April 8, 2016
My sincerest thanks to @MayorSlay for decades of service to St. Louis — your leadership has been a vital asset to the state and the region.
— Chris Koster (@Koster4Missouri) April 8, 2016
Thank you for your leadership, @MayorSlay. Your legacy in St. Louis will live on for decades to come. — Jason Kander (@JasonKander) April 8, 2016
Thank You @MayorSlay for your years of service & best of wishes for your next endeavor
— Gina Mitten (@gcmitts) April 8, 2016
On behalf of a grateful startup community, THANK YOU for understanding what startups need in #STL & being on side of progress, @MayorSlay! — Edward Domain (@EdwardDomain) April 8, 2016
Thank you to @MayorSlay for his leadership in St. Louis and his support of quality charter schools.
— Earl Simms (@earlsimms) April 8, 2016
Grateful for @MayorSlay‘s leadership and service in St. Louis. We’re wishing him the best in his future endeavors! — MO Democratic Party (@MoDemParty) April 8, 2016
.@MayorSlay is wise to get out while he’s ahead. Even w unclear reasons, I see exponential amount of humility in this decision. Admirable.
— Lisa Clancy (@lisadclancy) April 8, 2016
Sad he’ll be leaving, but @MayorSlay has been a remarkable friend and ally to hard-working people. His leadership will be sorely missed
— UFCW Local 655 (@UFCW655) April 8, 2016
Best wishes to @mayorslay on future endeavors. Thank you for your years of service to our city. — Murray for Missouri (@MurrayForMO) April 8, 2016
Slay has served as mayor since 2001. He served four terms and will leave as the longest tenured mayor in city history. Henry Kiel, Raymond Tucker and Vincent C. Schoemehl are the only other three-term mayors in the city’s history.
While mayor, Slay was pivotal in preventing the city from financial ruin. As of early 2015, he had brought $9 billion in investments into St. Louis. The city also found uses for long-vacant buildings like the old city hospital, which was turned into condos; the Peabody Opera House, and the Arcade Building apartments renovation.
He has received honors and plaudits for revitalizing the city’s downtown through private-public partnerships. The use of these partnerships helped the city win a 2007 Preserve America Presidential Award for Private Preservation. By working with LoftWorks, LLC and The Pyramid Companies, the city helped preserve and redevelop historic buildings. Before these partnerships, it was thought the city would have to completely tear down a lot of these and similar buildings in order to rebuild.
Slay also negotiated the construction of Busch Stadium, which opened in 2006 and is where the Cardinals have won two World Series and hosted an All Star Game. That 2009 game had an estimated $60 million economic impact on the area. The 2013 World Series provided an estimated $23.7 million worth of economic impact.
Some of those positives came at a cost. Slay has come under fire from some in the city’s African American community for failing to address their needs and the city’s high crime rate. Last year, the city saw its highest number of homicides in two decades with 188 murders.
Alderman Antonio French wished Slay luck after his announcement and tweeted that it was time for the city to move on, “Good luck to @MayorSlay in his future endeavors. The city now has an opportunity to move into a different direction. Our future is bright.”
Slay has also received criticism for the city’s population decline. During his tenure, St. Louis lost more than 30,000 residents. However, the trend in population decline has recently began to slow and today younger people are moving back into the city in places like the Central West End and Washington Avenue developments.
Much of the reaction to Slay’s announcement focused on his legacy, but others turned to his potential successors. Most of the attention will focus on the potential Democratic candidates for the March 2017 primary.
While Slay helped stop the city’s downward trend and turn it around, whoever the next mayor is will have their hands full trying to continue that momentum.
There could be over a dozen candidates, with several standing out as the best positioned. Ward 7 Alderman Jack Coatar has $18,488.96 on hand, Rep. Jacob Hummel has $58,366.88 on hand, former state representative and current city Treasurer Tishaura Jones has $49,332.70 in the bank. State Sen. Jamilah Nasheed has $299,135.88. Board of Aldermen President Lewis Reed, who ran against Slay in 2013, currently has $144,407.68 on hand.
In addition to money, labor will also likely play a role in determining the next mayor. Among those to watch are Pat White, president of the St. Louis Labor Council and Nancy Cross of SEIU.
In his retirement announcement, Slay said he could endorse someone in the race to succeed him.
Questions also surround what Slay will do once he leaves office. He jokingly said Hillary Clinton has not asked him to be her running mate, but he’s been a consistent Clinton supporter and a place in her administration would not be out of the question.
Slay also kept the door open to run for another office.
“I have not ruled out a run for another public office,” he said. “I do have almost a million dollars in my campaign account and I will probably do some fundraising for issues.”
He also would be an ideal candidate for Democrats if Sen. Claire McCaskill decides not to run for reelection in 2018.
Slay could also return to the private sector, where he was a successful business attorney. He would certainly be sought after in that field and could go back to his old firm of Guilfoil, Petzall & Shoemake.
