This article first appeared in the St. Louis Beacon, March 4, 2013 - With polls opening in less than 24 hours, St. Louis Mayor Francis Slay and his chief rival – Aldermanic President Lewis Reed – are primarily focusing on one thing: getting their allied voters to show up.
“We’re preparing for ‘game day,’ “ said Reed campaign manager Glenn Burleigh.
After a weekend when both blitzed the city by showing up anywhere there was a crowd, Slay and Reed were spending their last campaign day zeroing on key voting blocs who can help each man the most.
Both candidates also were benefiting from late large donations. Reed collected almost $25,000 from the Carpenters Union late last week, while Slay -- who has raised far more money -- received $50,000 on Saturday from Missourians for Excellence in Government, a group bankrolled by wealthy financier Rex Sinquefield.
Slay has previously received $150,000 from the Excellence in Government group.
Slay was on a couple high-profile radio shows Monday, featuring conservative talk-show hosts Jamie Allman (FM Newstalk 97.1) and Mark Reardon (KMOX, 1120 AM).
The mayor also appeared with Gov. Jay Nixon at an afternoon event in the city when the governor promotes the federally proposed expansion of Medicaid – a popular issue among the city’s Democratic base.
Monday night, Slay was stopping by a meeting of the Lindenwood Park Neighborhood Association.
For Reed, his biggest event was at 6:30 p.m. Monday night at the Coliseum, where his campaign was hosting a “Rock the Vote” youth rally featuring various hip-hop artists, including Chingy and Tef Poe.
For both candidates, their events highlight several targeted groups.
For Slay, they include the blocs of votes most likely to turn for Tuesday’s primary: the engaged, the middle-aged and the elderly, as well as Republicans planning to cross over and take a Democratic ballot since there isn’t a GOP candidate for mayor.
For Reed, it’s minorities and the young.
“The non-traditional voters during these primaries are young voters,’’ said Reed campaign manager Glenn Burleigh. “If that younger demographic comes out for us, we win.”
In addition, Reed is counting on a strong African-American turnout similar to the surge during last summer’s primary. “The north side is absolutely raring to go this time around,’’ Burleigh said.
Slay’s allies say that may be true – but those voters aren’t necessarily for Reed.
U.S. Rep. William Lacy Clay, D-St. Louis, was the fuel for last summer’s strong minority turnout, and he has sided with Slay for mayor. So is new state Sen. Jamilah Nasheed, D-St. Louis.
The city’s labor community is split, with the Labor Council going for the mayor and Carpenters Union and firefighters backing Reed.
Reed’s campaign-night event will be at the Carpenters Hall on South Hampton.
Slay, meanwhile, plans to watch returns at a low-key private event downtown with family, friends and campaign staffers.
