Republican pulls ahead in south St. Louis County Council race

ST. LOUIS COUNTY — In another batch of results, Republican G. Michael "Mike" Archer jumped ahead of his opponent, Democrat Kevin Schartner, in the race to represent south St. Louis County on the council.

With votes counted from 35% of polling places, or 82 out of 230, Archer was ahead with 51% of votes compared to Schartner's 49%.

The balance will change as the county continues tallying votes.

The District 6 race is the most competitive County Council race this year. The district, which runs from the River Des Peres to Jefferson County, has become "purple," with its denser, urban north voting largely for Democrats and its more spacious suburbs to the south going largely Republican.

It has flipped parties every eight years since 2000, with Republican Ernie Trakas representing it for the past eight.

Archer, 68, is an attorney and a former prosecutor who worked for the county from 1986 to 2001. Since then, Archer has worked in a range of private firms practicing municipal, insurance, business and family law. In 2011, he started his own practice.

Schartner, 54, is an engineer for Ameren and a former Mehlville School District board member. He served on the board from 2016 to 2022.

Two other races will be decided in St. Louis County.

Democrat Gretchen Bangert is running against Republican Sudhir Rathod in District 2, which includes Bridgeton, Maryland Heights, Hazelwood, St. Ann, Woodson Terrace, Breckenridge Hills, as well as parts of Overland, Florissant, Olivette, Creve Coeur and Chesterfield.

Bangert was ahead with almost 67% of votes.

Democrat Shalonda Webb is running for reelection in District 4, which includes parts of Florissant, Bellefontaine Neighbors, Riverview and unincorporated areas north to the Missouri River. She faces Republican Rhonda Linders and Libertarian Theo Brown Sr.

Webb was ahead with nearly 81% of votes.

No matter the outcome, St. Louis County Executive Sam Page won't have a majority who support him on the seven-member council. Councilwoman Lisa Clancy, a Democrat from Maplewood, will be the only guaranteed Page supporter left.

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St. Louis County government reporter