By Kevin Lavery, KWMU
St. Louis, MO – The battle for Missouri's Second senate district is among those that will be closely watched in Tuesday's primary election.
In the Republican race, a challenger is trying to outseat an incumbent who's only held the post for four months.
Republican Scott Rupp won the seat in a special election in April. He faces a challenge from St. Charles County Councilman Joe Brazil.
Both share their party's traditional opposition to abortion and embryonic stem cell research. But they differ on points like economic development.
Rupp helped pass new restrictions on eminent domain, including a measure to keep farmland from being classified as blighted. Brazil argues the new law doesn't prevent cities from seizing property for other reasons.
Rupp backs sanctions on illegal immigrants working at job sites; Brazil favors limits on tax increment financing.
The winner in the primary will face Democrat Wayne Henke, who failed to win the seat in April. He's running unopposed in his party's primary.
The second district includes Lincoln and part of St. Charles Counties.