This article first appeared in the St. Louis Beacon, Oct. 16, 2012 - The alderman from St. Louis’ 27th Ward will have a familiar last name. That’s because state Rep. Chris Carter won a landslide victory in Tuesday's special election over Independent candidate Jimmie Matthews. Carter – the nephew of the late Alderman Greg Carter – won more than 92 percent of the vote, compared to Matthews’ 7 percent.
“Thanking all of my supporters for voting to make me the new alderman of the 27th Ward,” said Carter, D-St. Louis, in a post on his Facebook page. “We are going to work as a team to take our neighborhood back. THANKS!!”
The seat in the 27th Ward, which encompasses Baden, Walnut Park and North Point neighborhoods, became vacant after Greg Carter died in a truck accident in August.
Members of the city's Democratic Central Committee who reside within the 76th District's boundaries will choose a Democratic nominee by a weighted vote. And while Carter serves as the 27th Ward’s committeeman, he said earlier this year he’ll have to resign that after he’s elected as alderman.