St. Louis County Executive Sam Page announced on Dec. 18 that he will not seek reelection to his post in 2026. This will mark the first time since 1974 that a sitting St. Louis county executive will not seek a partial or full term reelection.
Page’s step away from the county executive post comes on the heels of a difficult year for the county Democrat. Page came under fire over the summer for an indictment regarding a mailer that his office sent out on Proposition B; he was charged with two misdemeanor election offenses and two counts of felony theft for directing public funds to a campaign effort.
“Instead of spending next year campaigning, I’m going to spend my last year in office doing what I’ve always done – focusing completely on you and the work that matters,” Page said in the statement announcing he will not run for reelection. “I’ll be here through the end of my term, working with integrity and purpose. I will continue fighting for your healthcare, your safety and your essential services.”
For the Democrats, who have held the county executive seat for over 30 years, State Sen. Brian Williams, D-University City, has announced that he will run for the county executive post. Some St. Louis County residents have made nods to other potential Democrat contenders for the primary, but as of The Call’s press time, Williams is the only one with an official campaign.
Meanwhile, from Fenton, 3rd District Councilman Dennis Hancock is in the race as a Republican contender. Hancock announced his campaign in August. Now, he says he is ready to “cut waste, lower taxes and deliver real results for our families and communities.” For more information about his county executive campaign, check out prior reporting by The Call.
“St. Louis County deserves better than more of the same failed Democrat policies — higher spending, wasteful projects and a government that puts politics over people,” Hancock told The Call, following Page’s step away from the race. “Those policies won’t change, no matter who the next Democrat candidate is.”
