St. Louis Mayors

Clarence Harmon

Term:

1997 - 2001

Party:

Democratic

Born:

1940

St. Louis, Missouri

Died:

Living

Background
Administration
Post-Administration

Clarence Harmon (Mayor 1997-2001)-Background

Mayor (1997-2001). Clarence Harmon was born in St. Louis in 1940. His father was a race track groomsman and a railroad cook. His mother, Estelle Harmon was a nurse. Harmon married three times and has two sons and two daughters.

Clarence Harmon served as a paratrooper with the U.S. Army's 101st Airborne Division. He joined the St. Louis Police Department at the age of 29 and was promoted to commander of area I in 1988; the Board of Police Commissioners, secretary in 1991; and Chief of Police in 1991. He was the first African-American Chief of Police in the St. Louis. He resigned as Chief on December 8, 1995.

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Clarence Harmon (Mayor 1997-2001)-Administration

Clarence Harmon was elected the city's forty-eighth mayor in 1997. He is the second African-American to fill that position.

Mayor Harmon portrayed himself as a non-politician in City Hall, restoring honesty and dignity to City Hall. Mayor Harmon worked to stabilize neighborhoods which increased property values. He reorganized the city ambulance services and health services for the poor. He encouraged housing developments and a convention center hotel.

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Clarence Harmon (Mayor 1997-2001)-Post-Administration

Clarence Harmon was defeated for re-election in 2001 by Francis Slay.

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