Cara Spencer

Mayor Cara Spencer was sworn in as the 48th mayor of the City of St. Louis on April 15, 2025. A proven leader with a deep commitment to public service, she is focused on building a stronger, more prosperous city for all St. Louisans.

Born and raised in St. Louis, she became the first in her family to earn a college degree, graduating with a B.S. in Mathematics from Truman State University. Her early career took her to cities across the country, where she saw firsthand the transformative impact of smart urban planning, economic investment, and engaged leadership. Inspired by those experiences, Mayor Spencer returned home and successfully ran for the Board of Aldermen in 2015, where she’s worked ever since to put St. Louis on a path toward shared prosperity.

Mayor Spencer continues to lead the charge to make city government more transparent, efficient, and accountable. During her time as an alderperson, she authored legislation to curb predatory lending, improve air quality, and bring greater transparency to campaign finance. As a champion of public safety, she passed the city’s first meaningful gun control law in decades, closing a loophole that allowed minors and individuals without permits to possess firearms. Since the law’s passage in 2023, the city has seen a 15% decline in juvenile shooting victims.

A strong advocate for responsible governance, Mayor Spencer helped stop the privatization of Lambert International Airport, protecting one of the city's most valuable public assets. She’s pushed for greater oversight in public spending, exposing mismanagement of federal relief funds and calling for more strategic use of Rams settlement dollars to revitalize downtown.

Mayor Spencer’s work extends deep into the neighborhoods of St. Louis. She co-developed the innovative “mow-to-own” program, giving residents a path to reclaim and care for vacant lots. She led efforts to regulate short-term rentals, protect housing stock, and ensure that public contracts benefit local businesses. A staunch defender of the city’s historic architecture and cultural institutions, she champions investments in parks, museums, and iconic landmarks that define St. Louis.

A dedicated mother, community advocate, and problem-solver, Mayor Spencer is committed to building a safer, more equitable, and vibrant city. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her 14-year-old son, Cy, and can often be found cycling, hiking Missouri’s trails, or cross-country skiing through her neighborhood.