2018 St. Louis County Executive election

2018 St. Louis County Executive election
November 6, 2018
 
Nominee Steve Stenger Paul Berry III
Party Democratic Republican
Popular vote 252,327 164,675
Percentage 57.02% 37.21%
County Executive before election

Steve Stenger
Democratic

Elected County Executive

Steve Stenger
Democratic

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The 2018 St. Louis County Executive election took place on November 6, 2018. Incumbent County Executive Steve Stenger ran for re-election to a second term. He faced a difficult challenge from businessman Mark Mantovani in the Democratic primary, and won renomination with just 50.3 percent of the vote. In the general election, Stenger was opposed by Republican Paul Berry III, a political commentator and bail bondsman. In a contrast to Stenger's close election in 2014, he won re-election in a landslide, receiving 57 percent of the vote to Stenger's 37 percent. However, Stenger did not serve out his full term as County Executive, resigning in 2019 after being indicted for bribery and fraud.[1]

Democratic primary

Candidates

Campaign

Mantovani, a lawyer and wealthy businessman, announced that he would challenge Stenger in the Democratic primary. Mantovani attacked Stenger for awarding government contracts to campaign contributors,[4] and argued that his success in business would allow him to "chart a new future" for the county.[5] Mantovani attracted the support of prominent Black Democratic leaders in the county, including those who endorsed Stenger's Republican opponent in 2014.[6]

In seeking re-election, Stenger pointed to his success in "pursu[ing] a progressive agenda," generating economic growth, and creating jobs. He received the endorsement of the local police and firefighter unions. Stenger attacked Mantovani for his campaign contributions to Republican politicians, including former Missouri Governor Eric Greitens and former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani. [7]

The St. Louis Post-Dispatch, which endorsed Stenger over Dooley in 2014, endorsed Mantovani. The paper sharply criticized Stenger's tenure as County Executive, noting that "vitriol and dysfunction . . . seem to follow St. Louis County Executive Steve Stenger wherever he goes." It noted that while Stenger had a "substantial list of accomplishments," many of which "yielded impressive results," they were accomplished by "bad judgment and [a] failure to cultivate personal relations." The Post-Dispatch praised Mantovani for having "the personality and executive-level management experience to put the county back onto a professional, businesslike track" and for having a "centrist philosophy that the county needs to unite its disparate political factions and win the cooperation of a Republican-led state Legislature and conservative business community."[8]

Stenger narrowly defeated Mantovani, winning the primary by 1,100 votes. Mantovani initially refused to concede, citing issues at polling places,[9] but ultimately conceded defeat following the certification of the results.[10]

Results

Democratic primary results[11]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Steve Stenger (inc.) 92,070 50.30%
Democratic Mark Mantovani 90,970 49.70%
Total votes 183,040 100.00%

Republican primary

Candidates

  • Paul Berry III, bail bondsman and political commentator[12]
  • Daniel Sampson, former county employee[12]

Results

Republican primary results[11]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Paul Berry III 32,109 56.47%
Republican Daniel Sampson 24,755 43.53%
Total votes 56,864 100.00%

Libertarian primary

Candidates

  • Nick Kasoff, IT consultant[12]

Results

Libertarian primary results[11]
Party Candidate Votes %
Libertarian Nick Kasoff 1,117 100.00%
Total votes 1,117 100.00%

Constitution Party primary

Candidates

  • Andrew Ostrowski, cleaning services franchise owner[12]

Results

Constitution Party primary results[11]
Party Candidate Votes %
Constitution Andrew Ostrowski 180 100.00%
Total votes 180 100.00%

General election

Results

2018 St. Louis County Executive election[13]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Steve Stenger (inc.) 252,327 57.02%
Republican Paul Berry III 164,675 37.21%
Libertarian Nick Kasoff 17,147 3.87%
Constitution Andrew Ostrowski 4,537 1.11%
Write-in 3,858 0.87%
Total votes 442,544 100.00%
Democratic hold

Notes

References

  1. ^ Kohler, Jeremy (April 30, 2019). "Pay to play' case sinks Stenger: County executive resigns after indictment". St. Louis Post-Dispatch. St. Louis, Missouri. p. A1. Retrieved July 10, 2025.
  2. ^ Rosenbaum, Jacob; Mannies, Jo (June 8, 2017). "Love or war? Stenger faces crossroads as he heads toward second term". KWMU. St. Louis, Missouri. Retrieved July 10, 2025.
  3. ^ Kirn, Jacob (June 8, 2017). "Mark Mantovani to challenge Steve Stenger for St. Louis County executive". St. Louis Business Journal. St. Louis, Missouri. Retrieved July 10, 2025.
  4. ^ Kohler, Jeremy (July 29, 2018). "Primary looms amid toxic atmosphere". St. Louis Post-Dispatch. St. Louis, Missouri. p. A1. Retrieved July 10, 2025.
  5. ^ Kohler, Jeremy (June 3, 2018). "Mark Mantovani: 'I can help and chart a new future'". St. Louis Post-Dispatch. St. Louis, Missouri. p. A4. Retrieved July 10, 2025.
  6. ^ Mannies, Jo (May 5, 2018). "Coalition of African-American officials in St. Louis County backs Mantovani". KWMU. St. Louis, Missouri. Retrieved July 10, 2025.
  7. ^ Mannies, Jo (April 26, 2018). "Democratic battle for St. Louis County executive has heated up fast". KWMU. St. Louis, Missouri. Retrieved July 10, 2025.
  8. ^ "Mantovani for county executive". St. Louis Post-Dispatch. St. Louis, Missouri. July 27, 2018. p. A12. Retrieved July 10, 2025.
  9. ^ Barker, Jacob (August 9, 2018). "Despite victory, conflict with council still looms". St. Louis Post-Dispatch. St. Louis, Missouri. p. A1, A4. Retrieved July 10, 2025.
  10. ^ King, Chris (August 29, 2018). "Mantovani concedes defeat to Stenger". The St. Louis American. St. Louis, Missouri. Retrieved July 10, 2025.
  11. ^ a b c d "PRIMARY ELECTION - OFFICIAL FINAL RESULTS". St. Louis County Board of Elections. August 21, 2018. Retrieved July 8, 2025.
  12. ^ a b c d Kohler, Jeremy (July 15, 2018). "GOP faces tough slog for county executive in November". St. Louis Post-Dispatch. St. Louis, Missouri. p. A5. Retrieved July 10, 2025.
  13. ^ "GENERAL ELECTION - OFFICIAL FINAL RESULTS". St. Louis County Board of Elections. November 20, 2018. Retrieved July 8, 2025.
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