Unpacking the Political Shifts and Community Concerns in St. Louis Ahead of a Crucial Election Year.
Dear Sean (Fauss)
Chair of Democratic Central Committee
Thank you for the call.
The purpose of the DCC is to advocate for and elect Democratic candidates. Extortion and forcing African American leadership violates that core principle and seemingly is the antithesis of electing Democratics.” We can not be more loyal to the party than it is to us!
However, we must express my deep disappointment regarding the recent decisions affecting the North City Committeemen and Committeewomen, who are predominantly African American. It is unacceptable that we have dictated terms for Election Day 2024.
We will NOT accept the ballot produced by the Democratic Central Committee, nor will we accept that you will determine who our poll workers will be or their compensation. These actions go against fundamental Democratic principles and are offensive to the leadership of the Northside communities we represent.
It is disheartening, insulting, and speaks volumes that you, along with the DCC Executive Board and Party Chair Russ Carnihan, have not allowed us to fully represent the communities where we live and the people who look like us. In my many 10 years as a Committeeman, this has never been stated in such a glaringly racist way.
Your statement, “I promised to be accountable to the people who gave money to support democrats.” As if all Democratic Central Committeemembers could not be trusted to produce their own ballots as they always have in accordance with community wishes and to file the required Missouri Ethics Commission reports.
I hope we can find a way to move forward that honors our collective values and community leadership.
Sincerely,
James A. Keys, 11th Ward Committeeman and Amber Cole, 11th Ward Committeewoman
#StLouisPolitics #DemocraticLoyalty #Election2024
