Haas Splits His Hand, and May Lose One Quickly

Almost before the website could reload, Post-Dispatch reporter Jake Wagman's post that the perpetual candidate, Bill Haas, has filed to run for the St. Louis School Board was superseded by word that the State Advisory Committee is recommending state intervention.

The committee recommends the appointment of a three-person transition committee to oversee the district. The Board of Aldermen, School Board and Mayor Francis Slay each select an individual. After 90 days the School Board selection is replaced by a person recommended by the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education and chosen by Gov. Matt Blunt. Before anything moves forward, expect legal challenges.

Haa's decision is unusual, but there is a logic to it. The aldermanic primary is in March and the school board election is in April. He could lose his race for aldermen and still run for school board, as area he has a bit more experience in.

For all his campaigning (school board, state rep, and mayor–four times) the one area he has had success was on the school board. He was first elected in 1997 after abandoning his mayoral hopes, and was reelected in 2001. His prospects may have dimmed a bit since then.

His 2005 mayoral campaign was marked by exceedingly personal public revelations including the admission that he was contemplating suicide if his fortune didn't change for the better. More recently, he landed a 27% showing in the August primary against Rep. Rodney Hubbard for the 58th state house seat.

While the state house race may have been too big for an underfunded candidate like Haas, the aldermanic campaign might be too personal and too local. Current 18th Ward alderman Terry Kennedy succeeded his father, the late Samuel M. Kennedy, in the seat in 1989. Samuel Kennedy held the seat for 21 years before he died of a heart attack. Overturning a 38-year history is difficult for even the best-funded and well-known candidate.

That said, Haas works as hard as anyone out there.