Can you tell me about the candidates?
Yeah. Krewson is white and the other 3 are black.
Krewson: Longtime alderman from the 28th ward in the Central corridor, who ran for office after her husband was shot during a mugging in the 90s. Is solidly liberal but more conservative on crime and policing issues. Ran as the candidate of the South City white Democratic establishment (unions, Catholics, ethnics).
Jones: Was elected Treasurer of the City of St. Louis after a short stint in the state house of representatives. Her father was the City's Comptroller in the 80s and 90s before he was convicted of tax fraud. Ran as a racial justice candidate, combining some support from African Americans all over the City as well as some white progressives in the Tower Grove Park area. Endorsed by many progressive groups.
Reed: President of the Board of Aldermen, originally from the 6th ward (Lafayette Square). Ran for Mayor against the incumbent, Slay, in 2013, and lost decidedly in a fairly racially polarized election, though had the support of the firefighters. Had some crossover appeal to public workers and gentrifiers.
French: Alderman for the 21st ward. Catapulted to political fame during the Ferguson protests/ riots, where he was arrested while performing "citizen journalism" on twitter. Arguably had crossover appeal to white liberals that desired change in South St. Louis, but apparently most of them broke for Jones.