Clay Pulls Out Win Over Carnahan in 1st Congressional District Race

After weeks of intraparty warfare in Missouri’s 1st Congressional District, Rep. William Lacy Clay came out on top of Rep. Russ Carnahan Tuesday night.

Rep. Clay toppled Rep. Carnahan Tuesday night 57,580-30,895, according to the unofficial results. 

“This showed that the people trusted me enough to represent them,” he said in his victory speech. “This race is about coming together and showing how we can work together in cohesion.”

Rep. Carnahan conceded the race just after 10 p.m. and spoke to a crowd of supporters and family members. He thanked his family, including his wife and children; his mother former Sen. Jean Carnahan; his brother and sister, Missouri Secretary of State Robin Carnahan.

"The sacrifices they have made for me have been tremendous," he said. 

Carnahan said the people of the newly drawn 1st District deserved a debate of the issues and they got that with the primary race.

"We made this about record and about showing up," he said.

Carnahan said he would stay true to his word before embarking on the campaign and focus on helping the Democratic ticket in Missouri.

"I support President Obama and have since May of 2007," he said. "I support Sen. McCaskill, and I will work on getting the Democratic candidates reelected in Missouri."

Carnahan also said he was prepared to head back into Congress' fall session to work on the fiscal issues facing the country. When asked what he would do upon leaving office, Carnahan said simply, "stay tuned." KMOV tweeted that Carnahan said he would spend time with his wife, and take vacation.

Clay has now turned his attention to serving the 1st Congressional District and said he will work on getting federal resources to aid the economy and jobs in the area.

When asked about he and Carnahan's future, Clay stated that he had not heard from the former 3rd Congressional District representative, and he wished him well in his future endeavors. 

Clay will face Republican Robyn Hamlin in the Nov. 6 general election.