It was fantastic to see all the folks out for #NoKings protests on Saturday!!! I took the girls to a local Easter Egg hunt and unfortunately ended up missing the protest, but we still have a lot of work to do for the next 218 days in order to win this race and elect as many Democrats in the western suburbs as possible along the way. We’re in this to win this!!!

Campaign season is now in full effect, and candidates are getting their campaigns rolling, knocking doors, sending texts, hosting events, etc.

While we’re seeing growing opposition to the Trump Administration’s dysfunctional, divisive, and dangerous regime, it’s very important to remember that we live in “red” Missouri, and that we’re going to have to do the work to win elections.

I’ve been doing the work to try to win elections and organize voters since 2018, not to mention hosting and attending a variety of actions from Keiner Plaza to Rolla and points in between. The fact is that the Republican politicians who run Missouri are not swayed by protests, so the solution to better, more ethical governance for Missouri residents is going to be replacing Republican politicians with Democrats. In order to achieve that goal, not only do we need to have solidarity amongst Democrats/Progressives/Liberals/etc. but we have to persuade a good number of folks who don’t vote for Democrats to vote for Democratic candidates in order to actually win.

In 2026, my intention is to focus on the voters in District 7, as they’re the people who will have an actual impact on whether we win this race or not, and whether we successfully flip this seat. In order to achieve that goal, we’ll have to- as stated above- persuade Republican voters to vote for a Democratic candidate, which means that we have to be active in our communities building bridges instead of burning them down.

Most people are tired of all the drama and dysfunction in politics, and they just want our elected leaders to focus on running our government effectively and efficiently while providing high-quality services to the people whom they serve.

My vision for St. Louis County includes growth that respects the culture and concerns of its residents, keeping our residents safe in their communities, helping to maintain and build on the natural beauty and attractions that make West St. Louis County a great place to live, work, and play, and by running a county government that functions properly within a budget.

I believe that most St. Louis County residents aspire to be prosperous, healthy, happy, and safe, and I believe that we have the potential to agree on many issues. This year we have the opportunity to usher in a better, more productive, and less dysfunctional era for the St. Louis County government, and I’m looking forward to turning thousands of strangers into friends, winning the November 3 elections, and earning the opportunity to effectively serve the residents of the 7th Council District and St. Louis County.

In the News…

This week, County Executive Sam Page announced that St. Louis County Revenue offices will be closed to the public on Fridays in order to address the backlogs in applications for RECA documents, senior tax freeze applications, and addressing property tax refunds.

There are currently over 22,000 senior tax freeze applications yet to be processed by the June 30, 2026 deadline. In addition, there’s currently a five month wait for processing RECA applications. County Executive Page blames the delays on staffing shortages due to budget shortfalls within the St. Louis County Department of Revenue.

In addition, Dr. Page announced that St. Louis County would not be holding the annual JB Blast Independence Day event held at Jefferson Barracks as a result of budget challenges as well. While there are funds provided from sponsors as well, apparently the Parks Department indicated that they were unable to fund this event. The County Executive indicated that the St. Louis County Government must fund the core functions of county government over funding events. There continues to be back and forth over 2026 budget challenges and providing for the core functions of serving the people of St. Louis County.

In his afternoon address, Dr. Page indicated that Councilman Mark Harder attempted to jump the line regarding a RECA application without explanation. We don’t know whose application Councilman Harder was attempting to put to the front of the line, and he didn’t provide context for the Council, the Executive, or the voters to understand his motivations. There is currently a five-month waiting period in St. Louis County to process RECA applications.

St. Louis County Council members rejected several appointments, moved two bills bills straight from perfection to final passage, and overturned several vetoes from County Executive.

The County Executive signed the following bill into ordinance: Substitute Bill No. 2 for Bill No. 32, 2026 became Ordinance No. 29,540

St. Louis County residents are invited to submit their thoughts regarding a merger proposal and the future of St. Louis County and the St. Louis region at: https://stlouiscountymo.gov/st-louis-county-government/county-executive/what-does-a-stronger-st-louis-look-like/.

The St. Louis County Council overrode County Executive vetoes on the following measures:

BILL NO. 26, 2026, INTRODUCED BY COUNCIL MEMBER DAYS, ENTITLED: AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 104, TITLE I SLCRO 1974 AS AMENDED, “OFFICES AND OFFICERS,” BY REPEALING AND RE-ENACTING 104.005 SLCRO PERTAINING TO CONFIRMATION OF COUNTY OFFICERS APPOINTED BY THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE TO A COUNTY BOARD, COMMISSION, COMMITTEES OR OTHER OFFICE AND RESIDENCY OF APPOINTEES.
02.17.26~OC-8
Bill No. 26, 2026

BILL NO. 28, 2026, INTRODUCED BY COUNCIL MEMBER DAYS, ENTITLED: AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 101, TITLE I SLCRO 1974 AS AMENDED, “GENERAL ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS,” BY REPEALING AND RE-ENACTING SECTION 101.020 PERTAINING TO THE COMMITTEE FOR RECORDS MANAGEMENT.
02.17.26~OC-9
Bill No. 28, 2026

The St. Louis County Council Perfected the following bills:

BILL NO. 36, 2026, INTRODUCED BY COUNCIL MEMBER ARCHER, ENTITLED: AN ORDINANCE AMENDING ORDINANCE NO. 16,682 AS AMENDED BY REPEALING AND RE-ENACTING SECTION 2 PERTAINING TO P.C. 92-93 C. J. SHANNON, INC.
03.10.26~Z-4
Bill No. 36, 2026

BILL NO. 37, 2026, INTRODUCED BY COUNCIL MEMBER DAYS, ENTITLED: AN ORDINANCE AMENDING ORDINANCE 29,235, AS AMENDED, BY REPEALING AND RE-ENACTING SECTION 1 PERTAINING TO A GRANT FROM THE MISSOURI DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY FOR SUPPORT OF THE CHOICES DRUG AND ALCOHOL TREATMENT PROGRAM.
03.10.26~OC-8
Bill No. 37, 2026

BILL NO. 55, 2026, INTRODUCED BY COUNCIL MEMBER WEBB, ENTITLED: AN ORDINANCE AMENDING TITLE III, CHAPTER 302 SLCRO 1974 AS AMENDED, “BUDGET,” BY REPEALING AND RE-ENACTING 302.450 SLCRO PERTAINING TO PROCEDURES FOR TRANSFER OF FUNDS WITHIN DEPARTMENTS DURING A FISCAL YEAR.
03.17.26~AddOn-2
Bill No. 55, 2026

BILL NO. 56, 2026, INTRODUCED BY COUNCIL MEMBERS HARDER, DAYS AND WEBB, ENTITLED: AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 107, TITLE I SLCRO 1974 AS AMENDED, “PURCHASING,” BY ADDING NEW SECTION AND ENACTING SECTION 107.125, CREATING A REQUIREMENT OF A FISCAL NOTE FOR ALL EXPENDITURES $25,000 AND OVER.
02.24.26~OC-8
Bill No. 56, 2026

The St. Louis County Council approved the following measures for Final Passage:

BILL NO. 27, 2026, INTRODUCED BY COUNCIL MEMBER CLANCY, ENTITLED: AN ORDINANCE APPROPRIATING AND SETTING APART THE SUM OF $7,000,000 FROM THE MONIES COLLECTED AS PART OF THE PROP A 0.5% MASS TRANSIT SALES TAX TO BI-STATE DEVELOPMENT, THE TRUSTEE, BOKF, FOR BUDGET DEFICITS.
02.17.26~OC-15
Bill No. 27, 2026

BILL NO. 29, 2026, INTRODUCED BY COUNCIL MEMBER HANCOCK, ENTITLED: AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 107, TITLE I SLCRO 1974 AS AMENDED, “PURCHASING,” BY REPEALING AND RE-ENACTING SECTION 107.224 SLCRO EMERGENCY PROCUREMENT.
02.17.26~OC-11
Bill No. 29, 2026

BILL NO. 34, 2026, INTRODUCED BY COUNCIL MEMBER HARDER, ENTITLED: AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE TO EXECUTE A CONTRACT WITH MISTWOOD AERO, LLC FOR LEASE OF 3.97 ACRES OF LAND LOCATED AT THE SPIRIT OF ST. LOUIS AIRPORT; AND AUTHORIZING THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE AND THE DIRECTOR OF AVIATION TO EXECUTE NECESSARY DOCUMENTS.
03.03.26~OC-15
Bill No. 34, 2026

BILL NO. 35, 2026, INTRODUCED BY COUNCIL MEMBER HARDER, ENTITLED: AN ORDINANCE AN ORDINANCE AMENDING TITLE VI, CHAPTER 606 SLCRO 1974, AS AMENDED, “DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WELFARE,” BY REPEALING AND RE-ENACTING SECTION 606.210 PERTAINING TO FEES RELATED TO DAMAGED JAIL PROPERTY AND REFERRING MATTERS FOR PROSECUTION.
03.10.26~OC-18
Bill No. 35, 2026

BILL NO. 46, 2026, INTRODUCED BY COUNCIL MEMBER DAYS, ENTITLED: AN ORDINANCE APPROPRIATING AND SETTING APART THE AMOUNT OF $880,393.97 FROM THE UNAPPROPRIATED BALANCE OF THE GENERAL FUND FOR SUPPORT OF THE DEPARTMENT OF JUDICIAL ADMINISTRATION’S COURTS CONSTRUCTION PROJECT NOT COMPLETED IN 2025.
03.10.26~OC-4
Bill No. 46, 2026

BILL NO. 47, 2026, INTRODUCED BY COUNCIL MEMBER DAYS, ENTITLED: AN ORDINANCE APPROPRIATING AND SETTING APART THE AMOUNT OF $254,000 FROM THE UNAPPROPRIATED BALANCE OF THE GENERAL FUND FOR SUPPORT OF THE DEPARTMENT OF JUDICIAL ADMINISTRATION’S JUVENILE DETENTION EXPANSION PROJECT NOT COMPLETED IN 2025.
03.10.26~OC-4
Bill No. 47, 2026

A note: At most every week’s Council meeting, hundreds of thousands, if not millions of dollars are appropriated to a variety of obligations for the St. Louis County government. While our state and federal legislators appropriate funds for a variety of uses, county governments are often where the rubber hits the road for enabling those funds to actually serve the community. From Public Safety to Parks and Recreation to Roads, Taxation, Public Health, and more, the work that the St. Louis County Council does is critical to the safety and prosperity of not only St.Louis County residents but as a major part of the St. Louis region.

St. Louis County Council meetings and agendas can be found at https://stlouiscountymo.gov/st-louis-county-government/county-council/. The St. Louis County Council typically meets on Tuesday evenings at 6:30 pm at the St. Louis County Government Center, Lawrence K. Roos Building, 41 S. Central Ave., Clayton, MO 63105.

A list of public meetings can be found at https://stlouiscountymo.gov/st-louis-county-public-notices/.

St. Louis County government meeting agendas and minutes can be found at https://stlouiscountymo.gov/st-louis-county-public-notices/meeting-minutes/.

Kiehne Calendar

We’re starting to book events for the spring into the summer as well as presenting at meetings, booking meet and greets, and being present at community events. Here’s what’s on the schedule at the moment:
– Tuesday, April 7- Municipal Elections. Deploy #KiehneAction volunteers at all 27 polling locations.
– Sunday, May 31- John Kiehne’s Grill and Groove 2026. We’ll be kicking off the summer season and celebrating John’s birthday with BBQ, entertainment, and family fun. Details tba.

This week we’re going to be launching our Street Sessions, taking community engagement to the next level. Stay tuned…

We’re also getting to work on planning for our Grill and Groove event on May 31 as well as hosting a candidate forum in June for Democratic candidates who will appear on the Primary ballot in West St. Louis County in August.

Are you interested in hosting a meet and greet to introduce your family, friends, and neighbors to our campaign to defeat Mark Harder in November? If so, please contact the campaign at info@kiehneformissouri.com. You can also call or text us at 636-324-3570.

Next steps…

Our first organizing goal is to build a volunteer network that can deploy poll greeters to the 27 polling locations within Council District 7 for the April 7 municipal elections. We’re looking at three shifts per polling location (morning, noon, and evening), so we’re working to fill 81 volunteer shifts.

The map below displays the polling locations within District 7.
Polling locations within Council District 7 for the April 7 Municipal Election include:

• • CHESTERFIELD CITY HALL- 690 W CHESTERFIELD PKWY, 63017
  • FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH OF CHESTERFIELD- 17103 WILD HORSE CREEK RD, 63005
  • GREEN TRAILS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL- 170 PORTICO DR, 63017
  • HIGHCROFT RIDGE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL- 15380 HIGHCROFT DR, 63017
  • SHENANDOAH VALLEY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL- 15399 APPALACHIAN TRL, 63017
  • WILDHORSE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL- 16695 WILD HORSE CREEK RD, 63005
  • BABLER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL- 1955 SHEPARD RD, 63038
  • BALLWIN REC GOLF CLUB- 333 HOLLOWAY RD, 63011
  • BLUEBIRD PARK ADMIN BUILDING- 225 KIEFER CREEK RD, 63021
  • CRESTVIEW MIDDLE SCHOOL- 16025 CLAYTON RD, 63011
  • DANIEL BOONE BRANCH LIBRARY- 300 CLARKSON RD, 63011
  • EUREKA HILLS BRANCH LIBRARY- 500 WORKMAN RD, 63025
  • EUREKA-PACIFIC ELKS LODGE- 19 W 1st St, 63025
  • MARQUETTE HIGH SCHOOL- 2351 CLARKSON RD, 63017
  • OAK BROOK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL- 510 BIG BEND RD, 63021
  • PARKWAY WEST HIGH SCHOOL- 14653 CLAYTON RD, 63011PATHFINDER CHURCH- 15808 MANCHESTER RD, 63011
  • RIDGE MEADOW ELEMENTARY SCHOOL- 777 RIDGE RD, 63021
  • ROCKWOOD VALLEY MIDDLE SCHOOL- 1220 BABLER PARK DR, 63038
  • SORRENTO SPRINGS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL- 390 TUMULTY DR, 63021
  • ST MARK PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH- 601 CLAYMONT DR, 63011
  • STLCC WILDWOOD CAMPUS- 2645 GENERATIONS DR, 63040
  • TAIWANESE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH- 542 RIES RD, 63021
  • THE POINTE AT BALLWIN COMMONS- 1 BALLWIN COMMONS CIR- 63021
  • TIMBERS OF EUREKA- 1 COFFEY PARK LN, 63025
  • VFW POST 6274-BALLWIN MEMORIAL- 115 MIMOSA LN, 63011
  • WILDWOOD CITY HALL- 16860 MAIN ST- 63040

We also have an immediate fundraising goal. We need to raise $1,000 this week to purchase access to the voter data aka “VAN.” VAN (the Voter Activation Network) is the data tool used by Democratic candidates to organize and contact voters in their district. This is a critical tool needed to efficiently and effectively identify and engage with voters through door-to-door canvassing, calling, texting, and digital marketing. You can donate today at KIEHNE2026.COM.