This article first appeared in the St. Louis Beacon, July 24, 2012 - U.S. Rep. William Lacy Clay’s latest radio ad features two of the region’s most well known African-American icons: six-medal Olympic champion Jackie Joyner-Kersee and the congressman’s father, retired U.S. Rep. William L. Clay Sr.
The duo appeal to listeners to vote for Lacy Clay, who is competing against a fellow Democrat, U.S. Rep. Russ Carnahan, in a redrawn 1st District.
In the ad, which began running on stations late Tuesday, Joyner-Kersee tells listeners … "We need you to vote for our Congressman, Lacy Clay. He’s stood with the President on healthcare and Lacy fought to protect jobs and Medicare.”
His father then states, “This is the most important Democratic primary in decades. Lacy has back bone, he’s stood up to the Tea Party and Republican extremists. Russ Carnahan, a Democrat who Lacy and I supported for years, has now turned his back on Democrats."
The elder Clay has a long history with the Carnahan family. In 1992, Bill Clay endorsed then-Lt. Gov. Mel Carnahan in his successful bid for governor. That endorsement contributed to the defeat of Carnahan’s chief rival in the Democratic primary, then-St. Louis Mayor Vincent C. Schoemehl Jr.
