Illustration by Brian Taylor
Tomorrow, Board of Aldermen President Lewis Reed is set to challenge incumbent Mayor Francis Slay in the city’s Democratic primary. While much of the discourse leading up to the election has centered on crime, transportation, and economics, we asked the candidates about more pressing issues, like their underwear.
What’s your favorite food? Reed: Wings and fries. Slay: Protein shakes.
Zoo animal? Reed: The polar bears, because they look cool even in the heat. Slay: The sea lions—they do a wonderful show.
Musical group? Reed: B.B. King and Dave Matthews. Slay: Pink Floyd.
Movie quote? Reed: The Terminator: “I’ll be back.” Slay: I don’t do movie quotes.
Color? Reed: Blue. Slay: Personally green, but politically blue.
Describe an awesome date night with your wife. Reed: We catch a movie at the Moolah and grab dinner at Eleven Eleven Mississippi or SqWires, and then maybe go for a walk through the neighborhood. We like to walk around Leonor K. Sullivan Boulevard and the Arch Grounds in the evening. Slay: Anywhere we’re unrecognized.
How do you take your coffee? Reed: Not a big coffee drinker. Slay: Black and decaf.
Who’s your favorite Cardinals player of all time? Reed: Ozzie Smith. Slay: Stan Musial.
What’s your favorite sport to play, past or present? Reed: Wrestling. I was a high-school All-American, and I dedicated a lot of my time to that. Slay: Soccer.
Are you a golfer? Reed: I hack at balls. I generally don’t keep score, because it would be too depressing. [Laughs.] Slay: No.
What kind of pets do you have, and what are their names? Reed: Spike the rescued dog and a pond with about 45 fish in it. We haven’t named them; we call them “the fish.” Slay: Three rescued dogs: Riley, Sophie, and Gia.
What was your first job? Reed: Bike repairman at Artie’s Bicycle Shop, when I was 12 or 13. He gave me a quarter to fix flats. Slay: Busboy in the family restaurant.
Ever ride your bicycle to work? Reed: Yes, most days, actually. Slay: I ride, but not to work.
Tell us something that no one knows about you. Reed: At one time, I wanted to be a race-car driver. Slay: I’m an elected official in the 21st century—everyone knows everything, or so it seems.
Where were you born? Reed: Bloomington, Ill. Slay: St. Louis.
What was your first car? Reed: A fire engine–red Plymouth Barracuda. I saved my money and was able to buy my first car right before my 15th birthday, and I couldn’t even drive it yet. Slay: An old, very used Chevy wagon I paid $400 for.
What was the first presidential election you remember voting in? Reed: Carter/Mondale. Slay: Carter/Mondale.
Complete this sentence: “I have binders full of…” Reed: Ideas. Slay: Questions, just like this one.
What is your greatest physical feat? Reed: I ran to the Galleria and back from my home in Compton Heights one night. I’ve ridden over 100 miles on my bike in one go. When I was younger, I bench-pressed 400 pounds. Wait, actually it was 389. Slay: I can juggle a soccer ball in the air quite a few times with my feet, knees, and head.
Facebook or Twitter? Reed: If I have to choose, Facebook. Slay: Both.
What’s your favorite thing to do in Forest Park? Reed: Ride my bike and run. I like to run by Art Hill. Slay: Bike with my son.
What’s your morning routine? Reed: I have two young boys at home, so there’s probably no such thing as routine—every day is a little different. I get up; feed the fish, the dog, and the boys; see if my wife needs help; pack my suit in my backpack; and ride off on my bike. Slay: Get up, let my dogs outside, feed my dogs, run in Carondelet Park, read, write some, dress, sometimes wake up a staffer, review my schedule, give Kim a kiss, and leave the house.
What newspapers do you read? Reed: Most of the news I can take in daily through my iPad, but I also read the Post, the RFT, the St. Louis American, and plenty of magazines. Slay: The Post, the Beacon, the St. Louis American, and usually the New York Times.
What is your favorite adult beverage? Reed: I’m a nondrinker. My preferred beverage is iced tea. Slay: Bud.
What has been your greatest accomplishment in office? Reed: The redevelopment deals across the 6th Ward; bringing in $1.7 billion to create jobs and to bring in new residents to the downtown Washington Avenue area; and creating Bike St. Louis, with 80 miles of urban bike trails tying together Metro stops and the parks. Slay: When I was elected, we weren’t a city prepared for the future. Today, there are efforts well under way to give every child a healthy childhood, good education, a safe neighborhood, access to the arts, a chance to express himself, and a reason to raise his own family in St. Louis.
Why should people vote for you? Reed: I have a track record of uniting people, and we need that type of bold leadership to forge agreements. We need a new look at who we are and who we want to be. The mayor has had sufficient time to do that in 12 years. I can lead the city in that new direction. SLAY: Because they know that although we have accomplished a lot, we still have plenty to do together.
In 50 words or less, what is the single biggest difference between you and your opponent? Reed: My opponent tends to focus on what’s best for his donors. For the past 13 years, I have put the interests of St. Louis city residents first, regardless of whether they’ve made a contribution. It’s about supporting the interests of all of St. Louis. When you do that, you can cross the barriers that divide people and neighborhoods, and unite people—that’s when we’re at our strongest. Slay: It won’t take 50 words. I can make a good decision. I’ve got a record of making them.
Boxers or briefs? Reed: Boxer-briefs. Slay: No comment.
