Cara Spencer

Cara Spencer (born September 11, 1978), is an American politician from the state of Missouri. She currently serves on the Board of Alderman of the City of St. Louis representing 20th Ward which is located in South St. Louis City and includes Dutchtown, Gravois Park, Marine Villa, Mount Pleasant neighborhoods and the Cherokee Street Business District.
On January 13, 2020, Spencer announced her intention to run for the political office of St. Louis Mayor in 2021.
== Early life ==
Spencer grew up in South St. Louis City and St. Louis County. She received a degree in Mathematics from Truman State University. Prior to becoming an elected official, she did mathematical modeling for St. Louis based company Tessellon.
== Political career ==
Spencer was first elected as Alderman of the city's 20th Ward in April 2015 after beating incumbent Craig Schmid - who held the seat for 2 decades - in the Democratic primary election, and beating independent candidate Stephen Jehle and Green Party candidate Vickie Ingram in the general election.
Spencer worked with fellow alderman Chris Carter to co-develop and implement the "mow-to-own" program allowing residents to obtain an adjacent city-owned lot by mowing it for a period of 1 year.
Spencer was re-elected in 2019 receiving 70% of the vote in the primary election and 96% of the vote in the general election.
Spencer, a vocal opponent against the privatization efforts of the St. Louis Lambert International Airport, led a successful campaign against privatizing St. Louis Lambert International Airport, which contributed to the privatization effort being cancelled.
== Consumers council of missouri ==
In 2016, Spencer was appointed the executive director of the Consumers Council of Missouri, a non-profit founded in 1971 which advocates for the collective interests of Missouri consumers through leadership and partnerships on issues such as utility rates, health care access, and personal finance.
== Controversy ==
In 2016, an ethics complaint was filed against Spencer by attorney Jane Dueker. The complaint, alleged that Spencer failed to disclose a personal financial interest related to legislation she introduced regulating payday lending. The case was dismissed.
In August 2020, Spencer was the target of a petition to recall her from her position as Alderman of the 20th Ward. The petition was organized by Metropolitan Strategies and Solution, a consulting firm that supported the St. Louis Lambert International Airport privatization efforts. 
==In the media==
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== References ==
==External links==
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* Cara Spencer for Mayor of St. Louis City
* Cara Spencer - Ballotpedia
* Alderman Cara Spencer - City of St. Louis, MO
* Cara Spencer, 20th Ward Alderman | Nebula
* Cara Spencer | - Truman State University
* Cara Spencer – MetroSTL.com
Category:1978 births
Category:Living people
Category:Missouri Democrats
Category:Members of the Board of Aldermen of the City of St. Louis
Category:People from St. Louis County, Missouri
Category:Truman State University alumni
Category:21st-century American politicians
Category:Women in Missouri politics