Affton's Scott Sifton to Face Sen. Jim Lembke in November

Democratic voters chose the more liberal candidate when  in Tuesday’s Democratic primary. Sifton will face Republican incumbent in November.

The newly-drawn State Senate District 1 added Webster Groves, Maplewood and parts of Brentwood to South County. More than 40 percent of the district is new, and has historically voted Democratic.

won by of the Democratic ballots.

“It’s been a long time since Affton has had a state senator and I hope we can have one from Affton in November,” Sifton said after thanking his volunteers Tuesday night at Llywelyn’s Pub in Webster Groves.

Sifton said his pro-choice stance along with his refusal to take gifts or meals from lobbyists pushed him farther with voters. is a pro-life Democrat and represented Oakville for eight years in the Missouri House of Representatives.

Sifton also raised more than three times in campaign contributions than Schoemehl.

On reports filed eight days before the primary, Scott Sifton for State Senate reported receiving $21,075 in monetary contributions and spent $184,767.23 on the election.

Schoemehl for state senate received $6,219.07 in the last report and spent $93,881.52 total for the election.

The former Oakville representative released a statement Tuesday night that said, “Many people worked hard on this campaign for many months. We’re going to enjoy their company tonight with thanks for all who supported us today and along the way this last year and a half.”

Sifton now turns his attention to Lembke, who has represented South County in the Missouri Senate since 2008.

“What’ll be interesting about this race is the difference between myself and Rep. Sifton. I think there’s more of a contrast between the two of us than any candidate I’ve ever run against,” Lembke said. “I’m going to do what I’ve done the last 10 years. I’m going to try to find a balance of good government and try to be a good steward of the peoples’ money.”

Sifton has criticized Lembke and the senate’s inability to pass a jobs or economic development bill. Several times, the house has sent legislation to the senate, where it’s died without a vote.

“I think people in the first district expect and demand action in the senate on jobs legislation,” Sifton said.

Lembke said the government should focus on reforming the system in place before passing more bills.

“There were people on both sides of the equation that couldn't come together and get that done,” he said. 

The senator is developing a five-point plan that he believes Democrats, Republicans and Gov. Jay Nixon will support.