Great oogily moogily,
this seat isn't going quietly. From challenger Antonio French's website, a press release recounting an encounter with incumbent Bennice Jones King and her husband:
Democratic Committeeman Antonio French, candidate for alderman, today filed a report with the St. Louis Police against Ronald King, the husband of his opponent, 21st Ward Alderwoman Bennice Jones King, after Mr. King threatened French in front of two witnesses.
...Mr. King repeatedly threatened Committeeman French. Alderwoman King got in between Mr. King and Mr. French’s vehicle and tried to calm her husband down as he shouted loudly and repeatedly in the intersection, “I’m going to kick your a**.”
“We’ve been down this road before. It seems like every election, Ms. King’s husband, one of her brothers, or some other family member threatens one of our workers. Back in 2001, they even assaulted one of our campaign workers on Election Day,” said Committeeman French. “Before things got out of hand, I thought it would best to file a complaint with the police.”
Both Dems. Full press release below. Will update if I can find any reports from the Post-Dispatch, but so far, nothing yet.
FRENCH STANDS UP TO THREATS, REFUSES TO BE INTIMIDATED02/14/2009
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Antonio French, (314) 779-9958
FRENCH STANDS UP TO THREATS, REFUSES TO BE INTIMIDATED
Democratic Committeeman Antonio French, candidate for alderman, today filed a report with the St. Louis Police against Ronald King, the husband of his opponent, 21st Ward Alderwoman Bennice Jones King, after Mr. King threatened French in front of two witnesses.
“It’s a shame that they feel they must resort to physical threats and intimidation, but if they didn’t know before, they know now that they aren’t dealing with someone who can be so easily intimidated,” said French.
At approximately 3:00 PM Saturday, at the intersection of Taylor and Lee Ave, a white SUV driven by Mr. King cut off French and stopped him from proceeding along Taylor. Mrs. King exited the vehicle and came over to French’s vehicle.
“Mrs. King was calm and polite. She wanted to discuss why people she thought were her supporters had decided to support me instead,” said Committeeman French. “It was when her husband exited the vehicle that things became less civil.”
Mr. King repeatedly threatened Committeeman French. Alderwoman King got in between Mr. King and Mr. French’s vehicle and tried to calm her husband down as he shouted loudly and repeatedly in the intersection, “I’m going to kick your a**.”
“We’ve been down this road before. It seems like every election, Ms. King’s husband, one of her brothers, or some other family member threatens one of our workers. Back in 2001, they even assaulted one of our campaign workers on Election Day,” said Committeeman French. “Before things got out of hand, I thought it would best to file a complaint with the police.”
The police called King and her husband down to the station, where he was questioned and served with a summons.
“As we enter the last two weeks of this campaign, I want to make clear to the voters of the 21st Ward that if you stand with me and say ‘NO’ to the corruption, dirty politics, threats and intimidation, then in just 16 short days we can bring THE CHANGE WE NEED to the 21st Ward after 16 long years,” said French.
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Update: The Post-Dispatch says today that summonses have been given
to both the husband and to French over the incident.
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