JEFFERSON CITY — Former U.S. Rep. Bill Clay Sr., Missouri’s first Black congressman, announced Wednesday he was backing Democrat Lucas Kunce for U.S. Senate in the upcoming Aug. 2 primary.
“We’ve never had a Senate candidate who knows our struggles so well and cares for everyday people like Lucas Kunce does,†said Clay, according to a statement released by Kunce’s campaign.
“He didn’t grow up with a silver spoon in his mouth — he grew up in a family that was bankrupted by medical bills. They relied on the generosity of neighbors. Lucas got a scholarship to college and served his country for 13 years as a U.S. Marine,†Clay said.
“Unlike other candidates in this race, the only ‘ball’ he’s ever been to is the Marine Corps Ball,†said Clay, making an implicit jab at one of Kunce’s rivals, Trudy Busch Valentine, the former queen of the Veiled Prophet Ball in 1977.
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“He’s the one we can trust,†Clay said of Kunce. “I’ve got his back because I know he has all of ours. Vote for Lucas Kunce on August 2nd because we need real Democrats in the U.S. Senate who will fight for us and respond to the voters instead of big money special interests.â€
“I served ºüÀêÊÓƵ for over 30 years as Missouri’s first Black Congressman, fighting for our people and universal health care, standing with workers, and always advocating for justice,†Clay said. “I know what it takes to serve our community. I know Lucas Kunce will be the fighter we need in the U.S. Senate.â€
Clay, 91, was first elected to the U.S. House in 1968 and served until 2001.
His son, William Lacy Clay Jr., was elected to the House in 2000 and served until 2021, after he was defeated by current U.S. Rep. Cori Bush, D-ºüÀêÊÓƵ.
Kunce raised $1.14 million for his bid in the last fundraising quarter, outpacing Valentine, who raised $377,000 in April, May and June, according to Federal Election Commission records.
Valentine also loaned her campaign $2 million.
Spencer Toder, another leading Democrat for Senate, reported raising nearly $55,000 and loaned his campaign $325,000 in June.