Violet Retains Ward 3 Seat With Win Against Walker

The third time turned out to be the charm for Terri Violet.

After coming up short in back-to-back elections for a seat serving Ward 3 on the St. Peters Board of Aldermen, Violet was the big winner in Tuesday's municipal elections. With all 9 precincts reporting, Violet defeated her challenger, Michelle Walker, 785 (56.23 percent) to 607 (43.48 percent).

Violet's win keeps her on the board as one of the two representative for Ward 3. She attempted to gain a spot in both 2011 and 2012, but fell short at the polls each time. Despite the loses, Violet found herself on the dais at the St. Peters Justice Center in September following the resignation of Gus Elliott. 

Elliott, who defeated Violet in 2011, resigned following an investigation by the city. St. Peters Mayor Len Pagano tabbed Violet as his replacement to fill out the term until April's election. With her win Tuesday night, Violet will fill out the remaining two years of Elliott's term—meaning the election veteran will finally get a spring away from campaigning in 2014. 

If she chooses to run again, Violet's next election will be in the spring of 2015 when terms of incumbents Dave Thomas (Ward 1), Judy Batemen (Ward 2) and Don Aytes (Ward 4) are also finished. 

The Violet/Walker battle was the lone race in St. Peters this election cycle. There was, however, another issue on the ballot for all St. Peters voters, not just those in Ward 3. St. Peters Proposition 1 asked St. Peters voters to annex a portion of Highway 94 right-of-way. The move would clear up jurisdiction should respond to emergency services on a stretch of highway that has no homes or businesses. 

Prop 1 passed 3,047 (78.94 percent) to 813 (21.06 percent).