ST. LOUIS – Cara Spencer is a Ward 8 St. Louis Alderwoman and a candidate for St. Louis Mayor in the April 2025 municipal election.

Spencer and incumbent mayor Tishuara Jones, the two remaining candidates for the seat, are set for a live, televised debate Thursday evening at the FOX 2 news studio.

In the March 4, 2025 primary municipal election, Spencer led all St. Louis mayoral candidates with a 68.11% approval percentage, while Jones finished second with a 33.19% approval percentage, according to St. Louis’ election results.

Jones and Spencer were also the two final candidates in the April 2021 St. Louis mayoral race to replace Lyda Krewson. Jones emerged victorious with 51.7% of the vote compared to Spencer’s 47.75% in an election with more than 58,000 ballots cast.

Spencer, who fell short in her first bid for mayor, has served with the St. Louis Board of Aldermen since 2015, representing Ward 20 until 2023 and now serving Ward 8.

During her time in office, Spencer has been the primary sponsor of key legislation, including tougher air pollution standards and the creation of the first municipal good Samaritan law in the United States, which grants immunity for drug possession to individuals seeking help during an overdose. More recently, she has led bills to curb reckless driving and prohibit the open carrying of firearms in the City of St. Louis.

Last year, Spencer expressed concern over a Wall Street Journal article that labeled downtown St. Louis’ real estate scene as a “nightmare.” She called it “devastating” to the city’s brand and identity, also emphasizing the need for serious investment to revitalize key downtown buildings.

According to her campaign website, Spencer is running on visions of transparency, safer communities, educational investment, and support for thriving businesses.

Following her primary victory last week, Spencer told FOX 2, “I think people are ready for change. We have heard overwhelmingly from voters across the city that we want the basic services that a city really needs to deliver to its residents if we want to keep them happy and we want to keep them living in the city.”

Spencer has also served as a chair of St. Louis’ aldermanic health and human services committee. Before she became an elected official, Spencer worked as a mathematical modeler for more than 12 years with an emphasis in international business.

Spencer grew up in south St. Louis City and St. Louis County. She has a Bachelor’s of Science degree in mathematics from Truman State University.