ST. LOUIS – Tishaura Jones is the active mayor for the City of St. Louis. She is running for a second term in the April 2025 municipal election.

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

Jones is the 47th mayor for the City of St. Louis and the first Black female mayor in the city’s history.

Since taking office, Jones has prioritized progressive reforms, criminal justice initiatives, and economic equity. Her administration has pushed for the city’s first comprehensive transportation plan in decades, launched the “Save Lives Now” initiative aimed at combating violent crime, and signed legislation to regulate open carry in the City of St. Louis.

Jones has also backed economic policies such as a guaranteed basic income program, a senior tax freeze, eviction protections, and significant investments in affordable housing. Her administration also introduced the Strong STL website to address the city’s ARPA funds.

Beyond economic and safety initiatives, Jones has also been a strong advocate for social justice, LGBTQ+ rights, immigrant communities, reproductive freedom and marijuana decriminalization.

In recent months, Jones’ administration has firmly opposed efforts to shift control of the St. Louis Police Department from the mayor’s office to a state-controlled board.

According to her campaign website, Jones is running on a platform centered around public safety reform, government modernization and community investment.

Jones will run against Spencer for the second consecutive mayoral election cycle. In April 2021, 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.

However, 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.

During a Feb. 25 mayoral candidates forum, Jones said, “We are committed to reducing homicides and gun violence by 20% for the next three years, and we’re also committed to eradicating homelessness.”

When speaking to supporters after the March 4 primary, she added, “We’ve been working to improve all of the things that [opponent Cara Spencer] talks about, and we can talk and walk and talk and chew gum at the same time.”

Before she became mayor, Jones served as a Democratic Committeewoman for St. Louis’ 8th Ward (2002-2009), a Missouri House Representative for District 63 (2009-2013), and St. Louis’ treasurer (2013-2021).

During her tenure in the Missouri General Assembly, Jones became the first woman to serve as the House minority floor leader, working in committees for education, finance, health insurance and election oversight. As treasurer, she launched the Office of Financial Empowerment to promote financial literacy initiatives and directed parking meter revenue to fund college savings accounts for children in need.

Jones was born and raised in the city of St. Louis. She has a Bachelor’s of Science degree in finance from Hampton University and a Master of Health Administration degree from St. Louis University.