McCaskill, Hawley Win 2018 Missouri Primaries, Clay Routs Bush

MISSOURI — Democrat Claire McCaskill and Republican Josh Hawley have won their respective primaries and will face each other to become the state's next senator in November. Despite hopes (or fears) of a coming "blue wave," McCaskill is expected to have a tough reelection ahead of her in November. Running in a state President Trump won by almost 20 points, she is routinely listed as one of the most vulnerable Democratic senators in the country, and has already been the target of Russian hacking attempts. Hanging on to her seat will be key to Democratic hopes of retaking the Senate later this year.

Democrat William Lacy Clay defeated his progressive challenger, Cori Bush, in the primary for Missouri's 1st U.S. House District. Bush had been endorsed by fellow Democratic insurgent Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and represented the Bernie Sanders wing of the Democratic Party. Her defeat highlights a growing fault line in Democratic Party politics, between establishment centrists and those wishing for a bolder, more progressive agenda. Bush's loss may be seen as a rebuke for progressive groups that had been betting on her, but other progressive reformers, such as St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney candidate Wesley Bell, won the night.

As for Proposition A, Missouri's proposed "right-to-work" bill has been soundly defeated.

St. Louis voters also chose candidates for several state House and Senate districts, County Executive and Prosecuting Attorney, County Council and St. Louis Recorder of Deeds. Find local election results here.

On election day, Democratic Sen. Claire McCaskill, who fended off a series of primary challenges, Tweeted that she was meeting with farmers worried about tariffs.

Meanwhile, her Republican challenger in November, Attorney General Josh Hawley, posted a video shortly after he voted this morning.

"This is the day to make your voice heard and this is the day to unite together as a party," he said, "because today is the day that our general election campaign to beat Claire McCaskill kicks off big time."

Check back with Patch throughout the evening for up-to-date election coverage.

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