By AP/KWMU
St. Louis, MO – The ACLU of Eastern Missouri has a new president.
Former newspaper publisher Ray Hartmann ousted incumbent Adam Zaretsky Sunday as board president of the American Civil Liberties Union of Eastern Missouri.
The chapter's top official, Brenda Jones, says it may be the first contested presidential race in the group's 85 year history. Hartmann won the election 119-32.
Members are looking for Hartmann to unify the organization, which has been troubled by internal strife.
Hartmann founded the free St. Louis weekly newspaper, The Riverfront Times, has often appeared on the weekly KETC show "Donnybrook" and has recently been a guest host of KWMU's "St. Louis on the Air."
He says his media experience will lift the group's profile.
Zaretsky, an economist with the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis, will continue to serve as a board member.