Who truly holds power in the city of St. Louis, beyond the familiar names in the news? We consulted with a select group of informed St. Louisans, primarily from the realms of politics and law, asking them, “Who do you consider to be the most influential person in the city that the average citizen might not know about?” The responses provided a unique, though undoubtedly partial, compilation.
Compiling a roster of influential figures operating below the radar is inherently challenging. As one individual remarked, “If there are any hidden power brokers out there, they’re likely too skilled at keeping things discreet for me to identify them!”
Richard Callow
Labeling Richard Callow as merely a “political strategist” would be an understatement. He is a reliable advisor to Mayor Tishaura Jones, as highlighted by the texts that the city accidentally released last year. In addition to advising several mayors since the time of Vince Schoemehl (six administrations back, for those counting), Callow chairs the city’s Preservation Board, which oversees development in historic districts— and given the city’s landscape, it’s likely your neighborhood falls under its jurisdiction. Furthermore, he was recently appointed to the regional taxi commission by Jones, placing him in a significant position for both residential history and transportation matters.
Sayler Fleming
The acting U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of Missouri tends to maintain a lower public profile compared to local prosecutors like Gabe Gore and Wesley Bell. This is partly due to being in an “acting” capacity and also because the U.S. attorney position is appointed rather than elected. Fleming has been in this role since the conclusion of the first Trump administration, a notably lengthy tenure attributed to St. Louis being a deep blue city in a deep red state. During her time, she has led an office dedicated to vigorously prosecuting public corruption, schemes targeting the elderly, and medical fraud, earning acclaim from colleagues and observers. During former Circuit Attorney Kim Gardner’s term, Fleming developed a strategy to reinforce public safety by layering federal charges atop state charges when state cases appeared on shaky ground, and she was instrumental in directing federal aid to the struggling Circuit Attorney’s Office after Gardner’s resignation.
Rosetta Okohson
It’s no coincidence that a cadre of young progressives elected to the Board of Aldermen last year celebrated their victories at the Meyers Okohson Political Consulting headquarters in Ellendale. Partnering with Okohson’s firm is an effective way to secure backing from various progressive factions across the city, which can be crucial in low-turnout municipal elections. As the managing partner and CEO of the firm, Okohson has a background in fundraising and proudly proclaimed that her firm assisted in flipping three of the five Missouri statehouse seats from Republican to Democrat in the last three election cycles.
Joe Klitzing
Are you a restaurant owner seeking permission to expand your patio dining area? Or a builder attempting to obtain a variance to convert a single-family home into a duplex? If you believe you’ve been treated unfairly by the Building Commissioner or any city representative, you’ll likely find yourself needing to plead your case before the Board of Adjustments, which Klitzing chaired for several years. He recently passed on the chairmanship but still remains an influential member. His ongoing presence grants him considerable sway over local development issues, and he continues to serve on a term that technically expired in 2021 — a common scenario for city board members, indicating that the appointing authority is not yet eager to make changes.
Jared Boyd
Formerly an attorney with the influential firm Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner, Boyd has emerged as a close advisor to Mayor Tishaura Jones, having served as her chief of staff and legal counsel during her tenure as city treasurer. He is now the mayor’s chief of staff, and despite the ongoing tensions between Jones and the Board of Aldermen on various matters, he commands respect from both sides. As indicated by leaked texts from the mayor last year, Jones heavily relies on the input of Callow and her father, Virvus, both of whom are entrenched in traditional city politics. In this sense, the soft-spoken Boyd represents the progressive tilt within an increasingly centrist Democratic administration.
Ed Dowd
While you may not be familiar with Ed Dowd’s name, you are undoubtedly acquainted with his work. The former U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District leads Dowd Bennett, the firm instrumental in the city’s lucrative lawsuit against the NFL following the Rams’ move to Los Angeles. His firm is also responsible for the city’s lawsuit against Hyundai and Kia related to a defect that led to a spike in carjackings. Both Circuit Attorney Gabe Gore and City Counselor Sheena Hamilton worked at Dowd’s firm prior to their appointments. Dowd Bennett’s attorney roster includes a former U.S. senator and a former governor of Missouri. Beyond this professional network, Dowd’s influence stems from his family legacy in St. Louis — his father was the circuit attorney and a former gubernatorial candidate. A charismatic connector, Dowd excels at forging relationships, while his partner Jim Bennett provides substantial legal expertise, creating a formidable duo.
Circuit Judge Katherine Fowler
Since taking her seat in 2017, Fowler has navigated her role as a pragmatic progressive. She has considered the perspectives of victims’ families who often request leniency for those convicted in her court, whether it involves a 49-year-old St. Louis man facing felony murder charges or a teen responsible for a tragic drunk-driving accident that claimed his friend’s life. Fowler has established her courtroom as a space that merges common sense with mercy, setting a precedent for judges inclined toward rehabilitation rather than mere punishment.
Mary Pat Carl
Once viewed as the most likely successor to former Circuit Attorney Jennifer Joyce, Carl has run for the position in both 2016 and 2020, only to be soundly defeated by Kim Gardner on both occasions. Unlike Gardner, however, Carl is currently active within the Circuit Attorney’s Office, where she recently led the Homicide Division, having tried 89 cases to verdict over her career. Now serving as the office’s Chief Warrant Officer, she liaises between law enforcement and the prosecution, critical for determining whether a suspect should be charged and under what circumstances. It’s difficult to ascertain which role presents a greater challenge — presenting murder cases to juries or navigating the often contentious relationship between the prosecution and the police.
Joe Murphy
Affectionately known as Judge Joe, Murphy has deep roots in city politics. His uncle, Jim, previously held the position of sheriff before Vernon Betts. During Francis Slay’s administration, Murphy served prominently as a municipal judge and made history by officiating the first same-sex marriage in the city. Although he is no longer on the bench, his influence remains substantial, especially within the LGBTQ community. He frequents Just John, which serves as a political hub for gay men in St. Louis, where critical decisions are made. “That’s where decisions are made,” one source remarked. “The tales this man tells are incredible; most likely, many of them are quite true. Like any politician, he adds his flair.” Among his anecdotes is reportedly identifying Barack Obama’s political potential well ahead of others. Murphy has become a sought-after advisor for anyone in the city seeking LGBTQ backing, and he currently supports Cara Spencer’s mayoral campaign.
Javad Khazaeli
A former prosecutor with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Javad Khazaeli co-founded the law firm Khazaeli Wyrsch in 2014, specializing in immigration law and civil rights litigation. Khazaeli is equally adept at making a legal impact as he is at promoting his cases and causes in the media. As the son of Iranian immigrants, he has dedicated significant efforts towards resettling approximately 500 individuals from abroad to St. Louis. Following the chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan, he collaborated closely with former Secretary of State Jason Kander to assist hundreds of stranded refugees in Albania in relocating to the U.S., with about 50 now settling in St. Louis. In the realm of civil rights, Khazaeli has been at the forefront of many high-profile lawsuits concerning police misconduct, including the notorious 2017 “kettling” mass arrest and the recent incident involving a police SUV crashing into Bar:PM. Notably, he may also be the only person on this list to have a rap song named after him: St. Louis rapper Tef Poe released a track titled “Javad” earlier this year.
CORRECTION: An earlier version of this article mistakenly identified the first name of the city’s sheriff before Vernon Betts. The correct name is Jim Murphy.
