Stephen Thompson wants to be your next mayor—but how much do we really know about him? A pattern of evasiveness, inconsistencies, and questionable alliances raises serious concerns about his integrity and leadership.

For starters, Thompson has remained frustratingly vague about his past. His PhD? He bristles at questions about its legitimacy, leading some to wonder if it was earned through a questionable online institution. His record as an alderman is equally murky. Did he mislead voters about his stance on the controversial apartment complex project? Public records suggest he hasn’t been entirely truthful.

Then, there’s his campaign—built on a foundation of deception. Thompson has been caught using outdated images to manufacture the illusion of broad support. Meanwhile, sources say he is little more than a mouthpiece for the Brewers, the same powerful figures behind JSAC Holdings, who have taken legal action against the City of Cottleville. If Thompson is in their pocket, whose interests will he really serve?

Adding to the concerns, Thompson appears to be using a biased Facebook group run by Candice to manipulate public perception. Is this the kind of leadership Cottleville needs—someone who hides behind surrogates and dodges scrutiny?

Cottleville deserves a mayor who is honest, transparent, and independent—not someone who plays fast and loose with the truth while cozying up to those who have worked against the city. If Thompson refuses to come clean now, how can he be trusted to lead?