Lacy Clay wins battle with Russ Carnahan to keep his seat

[pstokely]

Last edited Wed Aug 8, 2012, 05:13 AM - Edit history (1)

Source: STL Post-dispatch

"U.S. Rep. Lacy Clay charged to a resounding defeat of a fellow Democratic congressman to win renomination to Missouri's First Congressional District.

With almost all of the votes counted in St. Louis city and county, Clay had 54,938 votes, or 64 percent, to turn back the challenge from U.S. Rep. Russ Carnahan, who had 30,656 votes, or 36 percent. Clay won handily in the city and county.

"Let me thank St. Louis and this region first, for coming together and trusting in my leadership to lead this district," Clay said told his victory party west of downtown at about 10:30 p.m.

Carnahan had conceded a short time before, telling supporters in a downtown pub, "At the end of the day the people get to decide. They have decided. I respect that decision."

Read more: http://www.stltoday.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/political-fix/clay-wins-battle-with-fellow-congressman-to-keep-his-seat/article_c9d59dea-e0eb-11e1-887a-0019bb30f31a.html

[Robbins]

1. I predicted this

I have said Clay would beat Carnahan.

I lived most of my life In St Louis before moving to kansas City.If I still lived In St Louis I would have voted for Clay.

[Judi Lynn]

2. Best wishes to Lacy Clay. Carnahans need to stay in politics.

Russ Carnahan shouldn't give up. What a vicious stunt it was to strip him of his district with gerrymandering.

Missouri needs both Clay and Carnahan.

[Sherman A1]

3. and Carnahan needs to find something else to do

he could have run in any state district, but he chose to mount a vicious campaign against fellow Democrat Clay in a district that had been previously 80% represented by Clay. Missouri lost population, the GOP controls the Legislature, it was time to redistrict and there was no surprise that it would be a Democratic District to be cut. Yet Carnahan went for the safe Democratic seat and not for a shot at keeping two Democrats in the House by mounting a very negative campaign. I voted for Clay yesterday and am proud to have done so.

[pstokely]

4. He could have ran for a statewide office,but instead he choose to primary some other Dem congressman

He probably choose to primary Clay because his district is solidly blue

[Sherman A1]

5. Precisely

I have no respect for him. Clay will easily win this new district, but this was a waste of everyone's time & efforts and he could have had a chance (perhaps a small one) of winning somewhere else.

[Fuddnik]

6. Another Blue Dog bites the dust.