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Hummel headed to the Senate

Staff Reports

ST. LOUIS, Mo. – Rep. Jake Hummel is heading to the Senate after being tapped by committee Democrats in the 4th Senate District to succeed Sen. Joe Keaveny who resigned to take  a judgeship.

“I appreciate the support I received today from local Democratic leaders in being chosen as our party’s nominee in the upcoming the 4th Senatorial District special election,” Hummel said. “I also want to commend state Rep. Karla May for waging a spirited and honorable contest for the nomination. Rep. May has been a valued House colleague for many years, and I know we will continue to work together to advance the interests of St. Louis in the Missouri General Assembly.”

Hummel defeated May by a vote of 90 to 40 in a meeting presided over by outgoing Keaveny.

“I appreciate the support I received today from local Democratic leaders in being chosen as our party’s nominee in the upcoming the 4th Senatorial District special election. I also want to commend state Rep. Karla May for waging a spirited and honorable contest for the nomination. Rep. May has been a valued House colleague for many years, and I know we will continue to work together to advance the interests of St. Louis in the Missouri General Assembly.

While making his case to the committee Hummel pointed out that after U.S. Sen. Claire McCaskill and Attorney General Chris Koster, he had contributed more to fellow Democrats than anyone else in the state.

After the vote Hummel complimented the near universally-respected Keaveny.

“Former Sen. Joe Keaveny set a high standard for representing the people of St. Louis,” he said. “It is a standard I shall strive to live up to next year as the next senator from the 4th District.”

Keaveny was chosen in a similar process to replace former Sen. Jeff Smith. Many of the same voters who elected him chose Hummel. One committee member was overheard telling Keaveny that they did not vote for him in the previous process but was proud to have him represent them.

The outgoing senator was complimentary of his successor.

“Rep. Hummel possesses the skills necessary to represent St. Louis in the Senate and still accomplish his legislative agenda,” Keaveny said. “The Senate has a different demeanor than the House and I think Jake can make that transition seamlessly.”

While Hummel won’t be officially elected until November, the seat is overwhelmingly Democratic and he will be eligible to serve up to 10 years in the senate including the two remaining on Keaveny’s term.