Williams
JEFFERSON CITY 鈥 Recent spending by a political action committee tied to state Sen. Brian Williams of University City is fueling talk that the term-limited legislator could make a run for St. 不良研究所导航网址 County executive in 2026.
The STLCO PAC, for which Williams was raising money, spent nearly $57,000 over three weeks in July to boost state Rep. Gretchen Bangert鈥檚 bid for the St. 不良研究所导航网址 County Council, state records show.
Bangert, a Florissant Democrat, has been critical of current County Executive Sam Page.
In June, she told the Post-Dispatch she repeatedly turned down job offers from Page in what she said was his attempt to clear the field for his preferred candidate in the 2nd District, former Creve Coeur council member Nicole Greer.
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Bangert withdrawing from the race would鈥檝e made Greer the favorite to win the primary, potentially giving Page a strong ally. Kelli Dunaway, who currently represents the district, is not seeking reelection.
After Bangert told the Post-Dispatch about the job offer and shared a recording of their conversation, Bangert filed a complaint with federal prosecutors against Page, reporting 鈥渨hat I believe could be an illegal misuse of taxpayer funded governmental resources ... in connection with the primary election for County Council.鈥
Doug Moore, spokesman for the county executive, said in June that Page spoke to Greer and Bangert to 鈥渢ry to work it out,鈥 and avoid a contested primary.
Page 鈥渄id not ask anyone to drop out of the race鈥 and added 鈥渘o one has a job offer,鈥 Moore said at the time.
Page has not announced whether he will seek another four-year term in 2026.
But one of Page鈥檚 previous opponents, Jane Dueker, said Williams would make a 鈥済reat鈥 county executive.
鈥淚 think Brian could be very unifying,鈥 Dueker, who ran against Page in the 2022 primary, said Wednesday. 鈥淗e does get along with lots of different people.鈥
Williams declined to comment Wednesday.
鈥淚 think Brian is a fabulous legislator. I鈥檓 honored to have his support,鈥 Bangert said Wednesday. 鈥淚鈥檓 not sure what Brian鈥檚 path is in the future, but I think whatever Brian chooses to do in his political future that he will be very successful with that.鈥
Meanwhile, a mailer sent out recently by the Page-allied Page PAC expresses support for both Greer and Bangert.
Bangert has 鈥渃onsistently demonstrated that for her, public service has been a cause, not a career,鈥 Page says in the mailer. 鈥淚t鈥檚 a shame that only one can win on Aug. 6.鈥
Bangert, reached Wednesday, said Page didn鈥檛 call her to endorse her.
鈥淭here鈥檚 not really anything I can do about it,鈥 she said when asked if she accepted Page鈥檚 support. 鈥淚 mean ... his PAC sent out the mailing.鈥
The STLCO PAC was formed on June 18 and attorney Matt Vianello is the treasurer.
Vianello said in June via text message that Williams 鈥渋s helping to raise some money鈥 for the PAC and that the group 鈥渨ill be supporting good government candidates running for office in North St. 不良研究所导航网址 County.鈥
He said on June 26 that the PAC鈥檚 committee will be meeting 鈥渢o determine which candidates it plans to support.鈥
Vianello said Williams 鈥渋s concerned about the direction of the region and wanted to create a committee to support quality good government candidates who have a vested interest in seeing the region prosper,鈥 he said. 鈥淧rogress in the region is his sole interest.鈥
St. 不良研究所导航网址 County Executive Sam Page is heard in this recorded phone call with Rep. Gretchen Bangert; she recorded the call on May 11. Video and audio edited by Beth O'Malley
