ST. LOUIS — State Sen. made it official Friday, saying he will not join the Democratic primary field vying for the 1st Congressional District seat.
Several months ago, the University City legislator was considered to be the prime challenger to incumbent U.S. Rep. Cori Bush, D-ºüÀêÊÓƵ.
“It’s a solely personal decision, my not running,†Williams said, then remarked about the impact of being the father of an 11-month-old son.
“Being a kid who grew up without one, I realized nothing is more important to me than being a good father,†Williams said.
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Williams said he found it frustrating at times to be only as far away as Jefferson City when issues with his newborn arose at home. “And Washington is a whole different story,†he said.
Williams was elected to the state Senate in 2018, and then reelected in 2022. Due to term limits, he is not eligible to run for the Senate seat in 2026.
Before taking office, Williams was an aide to former U.S. Rep. William Lacy Clay, who lost to Bush in the 2020 Democratic primary for the seat in Congress.
Noting his role in helping to brings millions of dollars in funding for projects in his district, Williams said his immediate plan is to return to the state Senate and “continue to focus on issues that will help the ºüÀêÊÓƵ area.â€
Though he will not be in this U.S. House race, Williams made it clear that his political career is not coming to an end any time soon.
Saying he does not have a specific office in mind, Williams said his plans for after 2026 include “staying in elected office.â€
Chances of Williams mounting a successful challenge to Bush dimmed in November, when ºüÀêÊÓƵ County Prosecuting Attorney Wesley Bell surprised local politicos and withdrew from the U.S. Senate primary to oppose Bush.
Then earlier this week, Williams’ chances all but evaporated when former state Sen. Maria Chappelle-Nadal, also a University City resident, threw her hat into the ring against Bush and Bell.
Chappelle-Nadal, a frequent critic of Bell’s work as the county’s top prosecutor, spent 16 years in the Missouri Legislature as a senator and representative from districts that heavily overlap Williams’ current district.
The talk of challenging Bush began picking up steam about one year ago, when questions about her financial management surfaced. She currently is under federal investigation for her spending on security services.
Williams declined to offer an endorsement of any of the three declared candidates at this time, saying only that he “has some reservations about several of the candidates.â€
The deadline to file for Aug. 6 primary is March 26. The winner of the Democratic primary will be an overwhelming favorite to win the general election in November.
The district is solidly Democratic and about 50% African American. It includes all of ºüÀêÊÓƵ, much of north ºüÀêÊÓƵ County and a portion of west ºüÀêÊÓƵ County.