Candidates Square Off in Special Election for 15th District

Voters in the 15th District in St. Charles will get the chance to elect a new state representative Nov. 8.

Former 15th District State Rep. Sally Faith was elected as Mayor of St. Charles in April 2011, which prompted Gov. Jay Nixon to call for a special election.

St. Charles County Republican Central Committee chose , 46, to represent them, over two other possible candidates. Sommer, who has two children and is married to Francis Howell Board of Education President Mike Sommer, is a homemaker who formerly worked as vice president of accounting, sales and marketing for her family business.

31, was the only person who showed an interest in representing St. Charles County Democrats. Woody, a lawyer, has worked for both Missouri House Democrats and Gov. Bob Holden's office from 2001-2005 before he returned to law school.

, 53, is a political newcomer who sought to run as a third-party candidate because he felt he had a duty to step up when he was able. Slantz said he believes that people should work together to effect change in state government. Slantz is a self-employed broadcasting consultant.

Learn more about each candidate here:

The winner of the election will serve the remainder of Faith's term and would be up for reelection to a two-year term in November 2012.

Election Day is Nov. 8

Polling places open at 6 a.m. and close at 7 p.m. Check back with Patch.com for election results later Nov. 8. Election locations are as follows:

• 015 Washington, 071 Fairways: The
• 016 Montclair: Harvest Ridge Elementary School, 1220 Harvest Ridge Drive
• 021 Truman: Board of Realtors, 110 Point West Blvd. St. Charles
• 022 Cheshire:
• 024 Wilshire, 025 Shirewood, 113 Briarhill:
• 028 Treetop:
• 047 Covilli:
• 062 Adams:
• 063 St. Andrews, 057 Hanover:
• 080 Heritage St. Charles Masonic Temple Assoc, 2051 Collier Corporate Parkway
• 087 Riverbend, 091 Katy Trail: Harvester Christian Church, 2950 Kings Crossing