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Nasheed endorses Tishaura Jones for St. Louis mayor

ST. LOUIS – Just a week after pulling out of the race for St. Louis mayor, Sen. Jamilah Nasheed is now endorsing St. Louis City Treasurer Tishaura Jones in that same race.

The state senator made the announcement with a news release posted on Twitter Tuesday afternoon, urging voters to unite with her behind Jones.

“I have known Tishaura since we were colleagues in the Missouri legislature more than six years ago. She has always, like me, been her own person. And also like me, she has always been unbought and unbossed in standing up and standing strong for the people,” Nasheed said in a statement. “In addition to her having those qualities and unimpeachable credentials, I just think it would set an empowering example for our city to elect as mayor an African-American woman.”

Nasheed had intended to run for the office herself, but decided against it, dropping out of the race on January 5.

“I deeply considered seeking the position, realizing that a new mayor can have a transformative impact,” Nasheed said in a statement. “In the end, however, as I looked over the large field of candidates, I felt I could better serve by trying to bring unity to the community, rather than creating more division by throwing my hat in the ring amongst the many others. Consequently, the candidate I plan to work to have our community unite around is Tishaura Jones.”

Nasheed says that while the city of St. Louis is facing severe issues, including crime, poverty and racial division, she believes it is poised to change that. To do that, she says, they need leadership that is “visionary, capable, and acutely attuned to the needs and aspirations of citizens from the highest to the lowest rung of our community”. Nasheed believes Jones can be that mayor.

“I urge you to join me in unifying our community to support Tishaura Jones. I urge you to join with me and Tishaura to make our city a first class for all, to make history,” Nasheed said. “We have the rare opportunity to make this a reality. It will take enormous work, and we will have to turn out in record numbers on Election Day. United, though, we can do this.”

Jones responded to the endorsement on Twitter, saying “I am honored to have the support of @SenatorNasheed & appreciate her kind words and her call for unity. Thank you, Senator! #OneStLouis“.

Jones faces a field of five other Democratic candidates: Board of Alderman President Lewis Reed, St. Louis Board of Education member Bill Haas, and Aldermen Lyda Crewson, Antonio French, and Jeffrey Boyd.

The Democratic primary election for the mayoral race is set to be held on March 7.