St. Louis Democrats Press Ahead with Plan to Censure Rogue Members [View all]

The demise of St. Louis Democrats' plan to punish committee members who oppose party-endorsed candidates, it turns out, has been greatly exaggerated.

In fact, Bob Hilgemann, the chairman of the St. Louis Democratic Central Committee, says he believes supporters have the votes to enact the controversial bylaw change, which threatens members who support non-Democratic candidates with being silenced for up to six months.

"Ultimately, it's going to come to a vote, and I think it's got enough votes to pass," he says. "People feel strongly that we need to require our members to support Democrats. A lot of people in this group feel that they need to support the party or resign their position."

Members of the committee are the party's formal apparatus in a city that votes Democrat without reservation. They're chosen on primary ballots — two for each city ward — and hold their unpaid seats out of passion.

Read more: https://www.riverfronttimes.com/newsblog/2018/04/27/st-louis-democrats-press-ahead-with-plan-to-censure-rogue-members