St. Louis County voters will choose a new county executive on Nov. 3, and Democrat Jake Zimmerman wants the job.

Zimmerman, the county's assessor since 2011, faces Republican county Councilman Dennis Hancock of Fenton and Green Party candidate J.D. McFarland, according to St. Louis Public Radio. The county executive oversees services for communities including Chesterfield, Wildwood and Clarkson Valley.

Zimmerman won the Democratic primary on Aug. 4, defeating state Sen. Brian Williams 46% to 34% and state Sen. Angela Walton Mosley.

Candidate information

  • Party: Democratic
  • Residence: Olivette, Missouri
  • Education: Clayton High School; bachelor's degree, Claremont McKenna College (1996); J.D., Harvard Law School (2000)
  • Previous campaigns: Missouri attorney general (2016, unsuccessful); St. Louis County executive (2020, unsuccessful)

Experience and public service

Zimmerman was the county's first elected assessor since 1960, according to St. Louis Public Radio.

Before becoming assessor, he served in the Missouri House of Representatives from 2007 to 2011. Earlier, he worked as an assistant attorney general from 2002 to 2003 and deputy chief counsel in the governor's office from 2003 to 2004. He was an attorney at Thompson Coburn LLP from 2005 to 2006, according to BallotReady.

Zimmerman says he has focused on consumer protections and challenging corporations and developers on tax issues, according to Fox2Now.

On the issues

Zimmerman outlined these priorities on the St. Louis Public Radio podcast "Politically Speaking."

County budget: Zimmerman says he would end the practice of using one-time money to plug budget gaps. He says he is the only candidate with the background to accomplish that goal.

Economic development and clean energy: Zimmerman says he would require data center developers to "bring your own clean energy." He says any project must have community support before receiving his backing.

County government relations: Zimmerman says he would prioritize ending conflict between the county executive and County Council, saying it is time to "end the drama and get back to doing the real work."

Public services: Zimmerman says county government exists to protect residents and provide basic services, prioritizing public safety, public health and parks.

Endorsements

The following endorsement was reported by BallotReady:

  • Planned Parenthood Great Rivers Action

Positions drawn from Fox2Now and St. Louis Public Radio reporting. Statements reflect the candidate's own claims.