Clay, Carnahan Pulling No Punches in Primary Fight

In less than a month, sitting U.S. Representatives William Lacy Clay and Russ Carnahan will face each other in the Democratic primary for the 1st District seat currently held by Clay. Carnahan was redistricted out of his 3rd District seat. 

Florissant sits in the 1st Congressional District.

In the past week, the two have come out punching. On Friday, Carnahan used the release of June employment numbers to blast his Democratic colleague.

“Today’s employment numbers show the result of a Republican Do-Nothing Congress that has protected millionaires and billionaires at every turn, rather than helping rebuild the middle class,” said Carnahan spokesperson Maurice Henderson. “Congressman Carnahan sees similar results every day in the St. Louis region, driving past payday lenders, rent-to-own stores and other financial predators that have stripped wealth from our communities, all while bankrolling our opponent. Rather than working with community leaders and stakeholders to create jobs and strengthen our working families, William Lacy Clay, Jr. stands with these predators.”

Video: See both candidates on Fox2News' Jaco Report.

Carnahan also slammed Clay for failing to show up for votes on WIC. According to a release from Carnahan, Clay twice failed to show up for those who depend on SNAP benefits to afford food to eat.

"Twice, Mr. Clay failed to show up to close loopholes for corporations that destroy American jobs. Twice, Mr. Clay failed to show up to support Medicaid. And twice, Mr. Clay failed to show up to support unemployment benefits," the release stated.

Clay released his first radio ads this week. The ads feature Rev. Freddy J. Clark of the and the Rev. Ronald L. Bobo of the West Side Missionary Baptist Church.

"Lacy Clay has been a Democrat with backbone standing up against bad George Bush policies like the war in Iraq and standing up to protect our jobs," Clark says in the ad. 

Click here to hear the ad on STLtoday.com.