Murray: Kelley is the Clear Choice for 8th Ward Alderman
By State Representative Marty Joe Murray
The recent election of Mayor Cara Spencer has created an important vacancy on the St. Louis Board of Aldermen. Her elevation to the Mayor’s Office means the 8th Ward is now without direct representation. This moment in history calls for bold and thoughtful leadership. As a result of the vacancy, voters in the 8th Ward have a special election scheduled for July 1st. Early voting has already begun at select polling places. Five strong candidates have all filed to run Cam McCarty, Jim Dallas, Jami Cox Antwi, Shedrick Kelley, and Alecia Hoyt.
Committeeman Shedrick Kelley is the Democratic nominee, selected based on the nomination process called out in our Missouri State Constitution. The remaining four candidates have chosen to gather signatures and run as independents. While each of these individuals bring their own experiences and intentions to the race, I believe one candidate stands out as prepared to unite this ward’s many voices and serve with the kind of moral clarity this moment demands. That candidate is Committeeman Shedrick Kelley.
To understand why Committeeman Kelley, you first have to understand what makes the 8th Ward so unique. This isn’t just any ward in St. Louis; it’s a vibrant mosaic of neighborhoods, cultures, and economic realities. In the 8th, you’ll find grand historic homes just blocks away from affordable housing developments. You’ll find first-time voters and longtime political organizers, entrepreneurs building new legacies and seniors protecting old ones. This is a ward of working-class families, students, retirees, and newcomers who’ve chosen this city because they see its potential. It’s a ward that reflects both the promise and the challenge of building a more equitable St. Louis.
I’ve had the privilege of calling this ward home for over a decade. It’s where I live, where I’ve organized, and where I’ve built relationships rooted in trust and community. In 2016, I was elected Democratic Committeeman of many neighborhoods in this ward. That role has given me a direct view of the hopes, needs, and frustrations that shape the everyday lives of our residents. It has taught me that public service means listening first, then acting with purpose and accountability. And it’s from that deep connection and experience that I endorse Shedrick Kelley without hesitation.
Shedrick is not new to this work. He’s a husband and father raising his children in this city. He’s a community organizer who’s spent years building relationships from the ground up. Most importantly, he’s a leader with a clear, unshakable moral compass. It matters because when you’re seated at the Board of Aldermen the pressure will come down, lobbyists will begin to circle, or when special interests start whispering. What keeps you grounded isn’t clever politics, it’s your principles. Shedrick’s are clear: the people come first.
In a ward with such wide-ranging needs, we need someone who won’t shrink from the complexity. Shedrick understands the realities of renters and homeowners, of small business owners and wage workers, of single parents and seniors. He knows that constituent services aren’t just a bullet point on a website; they’re the heartbeat of local government. If elected, Shedrick will bring an approach that is approachable, diligent, and consistent. You won’t have to guess where he stands or hope he returns your call. He’ll be in the neighborhoods, listening, showing up, and following through.
St. Louis deserves leaders who see the city not just for what it is, but for what it can be. Shedrick Kelley is that kind of leader. His campaign is rooted in service, not ambition. His values are rooted in justice, not convenience. And his vision is one that recognizes every resident of the 8th Ward as worthy of dignity, attention, and action.
This is more than an endorsement. It’s a call to action. I urge my neighbors across the 8th Ward to support Shedrick Kelley in this upcoming election. Let’s make sure our next alderman reflects the best of us; our diversity, our resilience, and our unwavering hope for a better St. Louis.”
Marty Joe Murray is the 78th District State Representative in the Missouri House. As a Democrat he is a dedicated public servant known for championing issues at the intersection of healthcare, equity, and justice.
