City Council candidate criticizes mayor for supporting his opponent

Fifth Ward Columbia City Council candidate Art Jago accused Mayor Brian Treece of “attempting to stack the council with votes he believes he can rely on.”

Jago, a University of Missouri business professor, criticized the mayor’s endorsement of his opponent, Matt Pitzer. Treece put his support behind Pitzer, a portfolio manager at Shelter Insurance, and also gave $500 to his campaign in January.

At a candidate forum Wednesday at the Columbia Chamber of Commerce, Jago decried the move. He said Treece never returned his requests to meet one-on-one, despite other council members doing so. Treece’s actions were the first for a sitting mayor to get involved in a contested council race, Jago said.

“My intention has been to remain absolutely free from any real or perceived obligations to anyone, once I am elected to Council,” Jago said.

Records from the Missouri Ethics Commission show Pitzer has raised $18,121.06 this election cycle. Jago received $6,488, according to his disclosure report from Monday. However, Jago has donated $15,000 of his own money since March 24 to his campaign.

Treece told ABC 17 News he stood behind his endorsement of Pitzer. He would not expect Pitzer to vote for any of his plans, if voters elected him. Treece said Pitzer’s financial background made him a good fit for the city council.

“He has the financial expertise that would benefit not only the city council, but the city at large,” Treece said.

Either Jago or Pitzer will replace longtime Fifth Ward representative Laura Nauser on the council, who decided not to seek re-election. The Fifth Ward covers most of southwest Columbia.

Treece also saw Columbia’s mayor endorse his opponent when he ran for that spot in 2016. Then-Mayor Bob McDavid supported Skip Walther in that election, but did not financially contribute to Walther’s campaign.

Pitzer was out of town Wednesday, and unable to respond to Jago at the forum.