MD for AG

Indeed, this is the time late in a campaign when candidates and surrogates begin to make their pitch that they have what it takes to win. Margaret Donnelly sent over her pitch this week that she is a contender in the Democratic primary for attorney general. Donnelly is hanging up an “endorsed by” flag with the following impressive list of names (among others):

Comptroller Darlene Green, License Collector Mike McMillan, Alderwoman April Ford-Griffin, Alderman Jeffrey Boyd, Alderwoman Kacie Starr-Triplett, former President of the Board of Alderman Jim Shrewsbury, former Supreme Court Justice Ronnie White, state Senators Joan Bray and Rita Days, state Representatives Rachel Storch, Clint Zweifel, Jamilah Nasheed, Jeanette Mott-Oxford, Robin Wright-Jones and Maria Chappelle-Nadal.

She says the vast majority of the ward organizations and township clubs are also standing with her, including: in St. Louis City the 6th, 8th, 9th, 11th, 15th Regular, 17th, 19th, 21st, 22nd, and 26th, and in St. Louis County the Airport, Bonhomme, Clayton, Creve Coeur, Ferguson, Florissant, Hadley, Jefferson, Lafayette, Midland, Missouri River, Normandy and Queeny Townships.

Donnelly is a progressive Democrat from Richmond Heights who is termed out as a state representative. She has long-term credibility with African-American elected officials, which have not been dented much by her opponent state Sen. Chris Koster, who has been paraded around St. Louis by state Sen. Jeff Smith and state Rep. Rodney Hubbard. The other guy in the race, Jeff Harris, doesn’t seem to have a clue about how to get a black person from St. Louis to vote for him. Note: having an intern call the American and ask, “What does Jeff have to do to get your endorsement?” does not count.

By the way, the only knock against Donnelly the EYE has heard is that she is a woman and she is short. Presumably, not being tall or a man disqualifies her from the rugged work of the State’s lead prosecutor. Mind you, this view has even been espoused by key supporters of (tall, male) Koster who, while male, are themselves not tall - indeed, rather short.