Kris Eilers Announces Run for St. Louis County Commission District 1 Seat

Eilers, executive director of the St. Louis River Alliance, focuses campaign on environmental issues and local government transparency.

Mar. 10, 2026 at 1:50am

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Kris Eilers, the executive director of the St. Louis River Alliance, has announced her candidacy for the St. Louis County Commission District 1 seat. Eilers is running against incumbent Annie Harala and has said she will focus her campaign on environmental protection, fighting corporate influence in local government, and increasing transparency through banning elected officials from signing non-disclosure agreements.

Why it matters

This race for the St. Louis County Commission District 1 seat will be an important one, as the winner will play a key role in shaping the county's environmental policies and approach to corporate influence in local government. Eilers' platform of environmental advocacy and government transparency contrasts with the incumbent's record, making this an interesting race to watch.

The details

In her announcement, Eilers voiced support for banning elected officials from signing non-disclosure agreements, a practice that has drawn attention at the St. Louis County Commission. She also pledged to fight against copper-nickel mining, prohibit ICE from accessing county properties, and push for higher taxes on the wealthiest corporations.

  • Eilers announced her candidacy on Monday, March 9, 2026.

The players

Kris Eilers

The executive director of the St. Louis River Alliance, Eilers is running for the St. Louis County Commission District 1 seat.

Annie Harala

The incumbent St. Louis County Commissioner for District 1, Harala is running for re-election against Eilers.

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What they’re saying

“I'm running because this is a critical time for local government. Federal actions are rolling back protections for people, natural resources and democracy. It is essential that we have local elected leaders who advocate for strong environmental protections, fight against corporate influence and fight for increased transparency in government with authentic community input.”

— Kris Eilers

“Elected officials must refuse to sign non-disclosure agreements and ban them at the state and local level, including immediately banning them here in St. Louis County. We must also address the many other ways corporate influence drowns out our voices. I will stand for clean water and work with you to fight off copper nickel mining. I will push to prohibit ICE from accessing county properties and I will fight to tax the wealthiest corporations so that they are paying their fair share.”

— Kris Eilers

What’s next

The St. Louis County Commission election will be held on November 4, 2026.

The takeaway

This race for the St. Louis County Commission District 1 seat will be an important one, as the winner will play a key role in shaping the county's environmental policies and approach to corporate influence in local government. Eilers' platform of environmental advocacy and government transparency contrasts with the incumbent's record, making this an interesting race to watch.