ST. LOUIS — Missouri State Senator Karla May told a St. Louis audience Saturday night that she’s running for the U.S. Senate.
She will join a growing field of Democrats looking to take on incumbent U.S. Sen. Josh Hawley in 2024.
May, who was first elected to the Missouri House in 2010 and then the Senate in 2018, was re-elected in 2022. Her district includes parts of the city of St. Louis, Richmond Heights, Shrewsbury and Maplewood. She announced her campaign at a Mound City Bar Association event Saturday in St. Louis and confirmed it to Spectrum News late Saturday night.
In addition to her State Senate role, May is also chair of the St. Louis Democratic Committee and would be the second candidate with a base of support in St. Louis region. St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney Wesley Bell entered the race in June. Lucas Kunce, who ran unsuccessfully for the Senate in 2022, launched his 2024 campaign in January.
May told Spectrum News in June that she was considering a run for statewide office in 2024 but did not specify which one. For the first time since the late 1800s, Republicans hold all statewide offices in Missouri, including the state’s U.S. Senate seats.
An official press event is forthcoming. May has yet to file Federal Election Commission paperwork.