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The latest news from every corner of the state, including policy emerging from Missouri's capitol.

Former Missouri Lawmaker Scott Sifton Seeks U.S. Senate Seat Held By Roy Blunt

Scott Sifton, a former Democratic Missouri state senator, announced plans Monday to run for the U.S. Senate seat currently held by Republican Roy Blunt.

The environmental lawyer, who lives in south St. Louis County, made the announcement Monday in a video released on social media.

“Missouri needs a senator who promotes truth, not conspiracy theories. And equality, not hate. A senator who trusts science instead of denying it,” Sifton said during his minute-and-a-half video, hitting on talking points of those critical of former President Donald Trump and his allies.

Even though the seat he seeks is held by Blunt, the video starts and concludes with attacks on Sen. Josh Hawley. Sifton criticized the state’s Republican junior senator for inciting the rioters who invaded the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6 — a charge Hawley has denied.

Sifton represented parts of south St. Louis County during one term in the House and two terms in the Senate. He is also a former Affton School board member.

Blunt has yet to announce a bid for reelection in November 2022. A spokesperson for the senator said he will announce his plans soon.

Democrat Timothy Shepard of Kansas City announced his candidacy last year. Other Republicans and Democrats are likely to join the field.

Correction: An earlier version of this story did not include another Democrat in the race, Timothy Shepard.

Follow Jonathan on Twitter: @JonathanAhl

Copyright 2021 St. Louis Public Radio

Jonathan is the General Manager of Tri States Public radio. His duties include but are not limited to, managing all facets of the station, from programming to finances to operations. Jonathan grew up in the south suburbs of Chicago. He has a B.A in music theory and composition from WIU and a M.A in Public Affairs Reporting from The University of Illinois at Springfield. Jonathan began his journey in radio as a student worker at WIUM. While in school Jonathan needed a summer job on campus. He heard WIUM was hiring, and put his bid in. Jonathan was welcomed on the team and was very excited to be using his music degree. He had also always been interested in news and public radio. He soon learned he was a much better reporter than a musician and his career was born. While at WIUM, Jonathan hosted classical music, completed operations and production work, was a news reporter and anchor, and served as the stage manager for Rural Route 3. Jonathan then went to on to WIUS in Springfield where he was a news anchor and reporter covering the state legislature for Illinois Public Radio. After a brief stint in commercial radio and TV, Jonathan joined WCBU in Peoria, first in operations then as a news reporter and for the last ten years of his time there he served as the News Director. Jonathan’s last job before returning to Tri States Public Radio was as the News Director/ Co-Director of Content for Iowa Public Radio. During Jonathan’s off time he enjoys distance running, playing competitive Scrabble, rooting for Chicago Cubs, listening to all kinds of music and reading as much as he can. He lives in Macomb with his wife Anita and children Tommy and Lily.
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