COOK- Cook voters spoke loud and clear for change in city government on Tuesday as they rejected the re-election bids of Mayor Harold Johnston and council member Liza Root in the wake of a current of dissatisfaction over the city’s handling of the June flood.
Johnston, who has run unopposed for mayor in prior elections, suffered a major loss to winner Dan Manick, who garnered 55 percent of the vote, 167 votes, to Johnston’s 30 percent, 91. Erin Danielson’s 15 percent of the vote was also a signal from the voters for change.
Voters also gave a win to newcomer Jesse Scofield in the council member election. Scofield edged out Ron Bushbaum by a single vote, 138-137, with Bushbaum taking the second seat up for grabs. One-term incumbent Liza Root received 121 votes and sees her tenure on the council come to an end. Bushbaum was technically an incumbent as well, appointed in July to fill out the unexpired term of council member Elizabeth Storm, who resigned, but was running for election for the first time. Candidate Ivette Reing received 85 votes, and Memory Malone got 46 votes.
Widespread dissatisfaction with the city’s overall response to the historic June flood is believed to have been a major influence in the large slate of candidates and the election results. A common theme among challengers that evidently resonated with voters was a lack of transparency and poor communication from city government.
Manick comes to the position of mayor with past experience as a Cook City Council member. He also brings experience gained by serving on the ISD 2142 St. Louis County Schools, including a stint as board chair. Manick currently serves on the St. Louis County Planning and Zoning Board and the Board of Adjustment. Neither Bushbaum or Scofield have held prior elective offices.