U.S. Senate – Claire McCaskill	State Auditor – Susan Montee	U.S. Representative, 3rd District – Russ Carnahan	State Senate, 4th District - Derio Gambaro	State Representative, 59th District - Jeanette Mott Oxford
State Representative, 63rd District - Robin Wright-Jones	State Representative, 65th District – Fred Kratky	State Representative, 67th District – Michael Daus	Collector of Revenue – Gregory F.X. Daly	License Collector – Mike McMillan
Recorder of Deeds – Sharon Quigley Carpenter	Clerk of the Circuit Court – Mariano V. Favazza

8th Ward endorses Peter Downs and James Buford for St. Louis Public School Board

Election is April 4, 2006

Peter Downs is a longtime advocate for the SLPS and publisher of the "Schools Watch" newsletter.  He has three children, tow who are currently attending St. Louis Public Schools and one who has graduated.  His campaign is focusing on "improving the fundamental a,b,c,d's of education;  The Art of teaching, the quality of the Buildings, the Content of the curriculum, and Discipline.  His approach includes treating teachers as professionals and allowing them to take responsibility for finding the best way to teach their students.  He is also advocating an assessment of the condition of all SLPS buildings, a review of the curriculum put into place under the board majority, and a complete rethinking of the district's approach to discipline, and reasserting accountability for maintaining schools and feeding children nutritious meals. Experience Publisher St. Louis Schools Watch Former board member Double Helix Corp. Former executive board member UAW Local 2250 Premier analyst of public education in St. Louis Common Sense Accreditation Alternative schools Safe & healthy schools Community Ties Public school parent for 18 years Father, husband, two children in public schools Endorsed by parents, teachers, principals, and other school workers 8th Ward member Susan Turk is hosting a Meet and Greet for Peter Downs and Donna Jones on Saturday, February 18 from 2 to 4 pm at 3936 Castleman.  Please RSVP to 771-0946.  Candidate information as well as yard signs will be available.

James H. Buford, a native St. Louisan, has served as President and Chief Executive Officer of the Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis since 1985. The Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis is a human service not-for-profit organization, governed by an interracial Board of Directors and administered by an interracial staff. It conducts programs and provides services to the community in education, employment, housing, community organization and cultural enrichment. Its mission is to assist African Americans and others throughout the region in the achievement of social and economic equality. The Urban League implements its mission through advocacy, coalition building, program services, and by promoting communication and understanding between the races. Buford holds a B.A. in Human Services Administration from Elizabethtown College, Elizabethtown, PA. He holds honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters degrees from Harris-Stowe State College, in 1993; and from the University of Missouri of St. Louis, in 1995; and Webster University, in 2000. On the state level, Missouri Governor Mel Carnahan appointed Buford as secretary of the St. Louis County Board of Elections in 1993. As an advocate for social and economic parity, Buford is often a vocal spokesperson on behalf of Urban League constituents. In this role he speaks to the diverse audiences, which embody the whole community--from grass roots to corporate. He serves on the following boards which include: the Executive Board of the St. Louis Council of the Boy Scouts of America; Board of Downtown St. Louis Partnership; Past Chairman and member of the Grand Center Arts District Board. In addition he serves as chairman of the St. Louis Community College Building Corporation; chairman, St. Louis Connectcare Board; Fair St. Louis, St. Louis Science Center, Chancellor's Council of the University of Missouri-St. Louis, chair-emeritus of the Harris Stowe State University Board; vice-chair of Heat Up St. Louis and Cool Down St. Louis Board; Forest Park Hospital Board, St. Louis Muny Opera Board and Jobs for America’s Graduates Board. He has received numerous awards and honors which include: The 2005 Mentor St. Louis Award; 1999 Whitney M. Young Award from the Boy Scouts; the 1997 St. Louis Gateway Classic Lifetime Achievement Award; the 1995 St. Louis Community College Distinguished Alumni Award; 1993 Lamplighter Award presented by the Public Relations Society of America-St. Louis Chapter for leadership and has enhanced the reputation and prestige of the community; and the Brotherhood-Sisterhood Award presented by the National Conference of Christians and Jews. Jim and his wife Susan resides in St. Louis, MO. He has two sons, James Jr. and Jason.