Group of black Democrats to endorse Stream in county exec race

Saint Louis, Mo. — A newly formed coalition of local elected black Democrats in North County announced today that they were officially endorsing Republican Rick Stream in the St. Louis County Executive race.

The Fanny Lou Hamer Democratic Coalition of St. Louis County — named for the famed civil rights activist — was founded only a few weeks ago and is comprised mostly of locally elected black Democrats in North St. Louis County. The group’s unofficial leader, Hazel Erby, a county councilwoman who represents much of Ferugson, Missouri, announced today the group’s intentions to support the Republican Stream over Democrat Steve Stenger.

“We don’t make our decision today lightly,” Erby said. “After deep consideration, the Fannie Lou Hamer Democratic Coalition will put our effort into electing Rick Stream as the next St. Louis County Executive…Even with our concerns, we still believe in the principals the Democratic Party stands for. We stand united with other North County elected officials who are concerned for our community and the direction of its future.”

Stenger crushed incumbent county executive Charlie Dooley, a black man, in the primary earlier this summer thanks in no small part to overwhelming support from the predominantly white western and southern parts of the county. Only days later, Michael Brown was shot and killed in Ferguson by Officer Darren Wilson, sparking weeks of unrest and international media attention.

Complicating matters is Stenger’s close relationship with St. Louis County Prosecutor, Bob McCulloch, who most local black leaders say does not have the trust of the community. A wide range of local black leaders and protestors have loudly demanded McCulloch step down from the Brown case.

Stenger’s support of McCulloch — who endorsed Stenger in the primary and was featured in an ad hammering Dooley for charges of corruption — has not gone over well in many parts of North County. Stream issued a statement thanking the newly formed coalition.

“I am humbled by the Coalition’s endorsement and political courage in crossing Party lines to support me today,” Stream said. “I will honor the trust they have placed in me to turn words into actions if elected and move St. Louis County forward. Together we will bring much-needed jobs to the St. Louis region, end waste and corruption in county government, reform our schools, and bridge the divides that exist in our political systems.”

Stenger had been widely expected to win in an area still considered a lock for Democrats, with even Stream’s own campaign admitting the bid was an uphill climb only a few short months ago. But events in Ferguson appear to have shaken the landscape.

Stenger remained confident, and defiant.

“I’m going to do what I think is right for St. Louis County regardless of politics, and I think the right thing to do is stand behind Bob McCullough,” Stenger said in a statement to The Missouri Times. ” I know he’s fair and there’s no reason to think he will not be in this case. And I think it’s the right thing to do to put bringing St. Louis County together above politics, too. Rick Stream is an extreme right wing politician who has voted to cut the minimum wage, reduce taxes for the wealthy while cutting Head Start and raising taxes on seniors, he opposes a woman’s right to choose even in cases of rape and incest, and he voted to nullify federal gun laws in Missouri.”

A public poll commissioned by Missouri Scout and conducted by Remington Rearch Group was released earlier this week showing Stenger with just a 2 percent lead over Stream and 16 percent still undecided, a statistical tie.