Rick Stream: Attractive Choice for Afican American Voters in County Executive Race

ST. LOUIS - Oct. 22, 2014 - PRLog -- African-American voters are developing a second opinion about the GOP and in particular Candidate Rick Stream who is veying for the position of St. Louis County Executive.  African Americans, who for very legitimate reasons have never brought themselves to vote for a Republican, but many in the area of North County, who have been treated poorly and disenfranchised by the current leadership, and the St. Louis County government system are changing their thought process. Not to mention, they want to cripple the Steve Stenger campaign in a way that should be impossible to overcome.

In the wake of the shooting of Michael Brown, an unarmed teenager by a Ferguson Police Officer, Stream is in a unique position and because of the social unrest and the fact that the residents of the sometimes troubled area are eager to see a change, political affiliation is of less importance to someone who can effect change in the region.

Democratic candidate, Steve Stenger is expected to have a great deal of trouble because of the shooting incident. Stenger, an attorney from South County who is closely tied to St. Louis County Prosecutor Robert McCulloch, is attacking Stream as “too extreme for St. Louis County" while supporting McCulloch who is handling the shooting investigation. The Grand Jury findings of that case are rumored to be released soon after the election, but the finding are already being leaked to the press.

The Stream camp has committed publicly, stating that his administration will ensure and include the entire St. Louis County population. I would clearly find this credible, because of no other reason than common sense. There really is no other way to govern the county. Without a doubt the Stenger camp is making the same promises, except there is one problem with coming from Democrats. Their credibility is lacking because most voters feel they have yet to keep their promises. Everybody understands the change motive in this election that many black Democrats may feel by delivering a defeat to Stenger.

Stream is a real and legitamate choice for African-American voters, who for very legitimate reasons won't bring themselves to vote for Steve Stenger. A vote for Rick Stream kills any chance Steve Stenger and his allies have of capturing the office of county executive, but more so, it is a clear message of change, which honestly is needed in county government.

Stream's outstanding reputation for crossing party lines in Jefferson City, putting politics on the back burner to what is truly right is a key component of his campaign to capture the county executive seat. He has pledged to work with the police, clergy and other parties to ease the tensions in North County.

Stream is a lifelong resident of St. Louis County, growing up in Kirkwood. He is a 1971 Graduate of UMSL and a commissioned officer in the United States Navy. Following his service he went to work for the United States Department of Defense as a Budget and Project Manager for the Army Aviation and Logistics Commands.  In that role, he oversaw budgets of major U.S military projects in excess of $15 billion. He has the endorsement of political heavy hitters such as Senators Roy Blunt and John Danforth. Clearly he has the sheepskin to run St. Louis County.

Stream says he'll win support for economic development packages through his contacts in state government and his 42 years of leadership and management experience. That is great, but the people of St. Louis County are no nonsense. I believe Stream will be successful because he will remove the ridiculousness of country government, which is truly what the people have been waiting for over 20 years.