After the April 7 election, South County residents will see old and new faces alike joining their local school and city boards. In case you missed it, here is The Call’s wrap-up of elected candidates for the city of Sunset Hills, Lindbergh Schools and the Affton School District.

Sunset Hills

The city of Sunset Hills will see three newcomers to its aldermanic board — Natalie Akins in Ward 1, Mark Schwarz in Ward 2 and Angie Weigel in Ward 3. 

In Ward 4, there was an even split between experienced candidates Mark Colombo and Cathy Friedmann. According to city administrator Brittany Gillett, the St. Louis County Board of Elections, as of The Call’s press time, is still waiting for military, overseas and provisional ballots to be counted. If the race is still tied after all ballots are counted there will likely be a recount. If the results still reflect a tie after the recount, there are three options to proceed in deciding which candidate will become Ward 4 alderman.

The first option is concession, in which either Colombo or Friedmann could concede to the other candidate. The second option is, if both candidates agree, the outcome can be determined by a random method, such as a coin toss or drawing of straws. If neither of the first two options are pursued, Sunset Hills will have to hold a special election later in the year.

More information on the Ward 4 election will be disseminated as it becomes available. Check back for the most up-to-date reporting.

In Ward 1, Akins faced off against former alderman Frank Hardy for the aldermanic seat, which was recently vacated by former alderman Ann McMunn. This is Akins’ first time holding public office. She received 59.85% voter approval, with 161 votes. There were 269 total votes counted in the Ward 1 race.

“I’m truly honored by the trust my neighbors have placed in me,”Akins said. “I’m excited to get to work listening, learning and serving Ward 1 and Sunset Hills.”

In Ward 2, Schwarz faced off incumbent Casey Wong and newcomer Greg Zveitel for the aldermanic seat. This is Schwarz’s first time holding public office. With 39.06% voter approval (166 votes), he narrowly unseated Wong, who received 35.06% voter approval (149 votes). There were 425 total votes counted in the Ward 2 race.

In Ward 3, Weigel and incumbent Kurt Krueger vied for the seat of alderman. This is Weigel’s first time holding public office. She unseated Krueger with 54.66% voter approval (211 votes). There were 386 total votes counted in the Ward 3 race.

“I’m grateful for the trust residents placed in me and honored to serve our community,” Weigel said. “I’m looking forward to listening closely to neighbors, communicating transparently and ensuring resident voices guide the decisions we make for Sunset Hills.”

In Ward 4, Colombo and Friedmann tied at 50% with 188 votes each. Colombo is the incumbent, having been appointed to the board in November after former alderman Lindsay Hof moved out of Sunset Hills. Friedmann was the Ward 3 alderman from 2020-2025, but when she moved to Ward 4, she resigned from that seat and ran for election in her new ward. 

Lindbergh Schools Board of Education

The Lindbergh Board of Education had three seats up for election. Voters re-elected school board incumbents President Matt Alonzo, Director Christy Watz and Treasurer Andrew Lawson. Richard Breeding did not gain a seat on the board. Seats carry three-year terms.

Watz received the highest vote count with 30.16% approval (4,035 votes). Alonzo received 29.08% approval (3,891 votes), and Lawson received 28.49% approval (3,812 votes). There were a total of 13,380 votes counted — the highest voter turnout by total vote count in any South County race.

“Thank you to everyone who took the time to vote in the Lindbergh Schools Board of Education election. I am grateful for the opportunity to serve Lindbergh Schools for the next three years and look forward to continuing my public service to support our community and our students,” Alonzo said.

“​I am deeply honored and humbled by your trust and support and I am excited to get back to work for our students, our teachers and our community,” Lawson said. “Thank you for allowing me to continue to serve. Party on Flyers!”

Breeding walked away with 12.27% approval (1,642 votes).

“I refuse to be a sore loser,” Breeding said. “Best of luck to the three winners! The people have spoken! I say FLY almost everyday, hope for best!”

Affton School District Board of Education

The Affton Board of Education had three seats up for election on April 7. Voters re-elected incumbents Jeanette Schoenberg, Justin Carney and Bridget Sinamon; newcomer Ben Wagner did not gain a seat on the board. Directors have three-year terms.

Schoenberg received the highest vote count with 30.05% approval, Sinamon received 27.77% approval  and Carney received 21.48% approval. There were a total of 5,647 votes counted.

Wagner walked away with 10.25% approval. Some voters also cast ballots for Chad Bernstein and Dennis Ellis, who both dropped out of the school board race prior to the election. Combined, Bernstein and Ellis received about 10.45% of votes (590 votes).