Kunce announces first slate of endorsements from leaders and organizations across Missouri
*First Published June 13, 2023 | Updated June 15, 2023, to include the endorsement of St. Louis County Councilwoman Rita Heard Days*
Independence, MO — Today, the record-breaking U.S. Senate campaign of Marine veteran and seventh-generation Missourian Lucas Kunce announced a first slate of endorsements for his 2024 campaign, with support from leaders and organizations across Missouri. Endorsers include civil rights icon and former Congressman Bill Clay Sr, St. Louis Board of Aldermen President Megan Green, Jackson County Executive and Royals Hall of Famer Frank White Jr, former State Auditor Susan Montee, former Lt. Governor Joe Maxwell, advocate Barbara Eagleton, Boone County Treasurer Jenna Redel, the Missouri AFL-CIO, the Missouri Fire Fighters, the St. Louis Building Trades, and the Kansas City Building Trades.
“Lucas Kunce can make change happen in this state — he can take this seat back for working people and fight for our values in the United States Senate,” said former Congressman Bill Clay Sr. “He grew up like so many in this state, from a family who lived paycheck to paycheck. He knows the meaning of service, having spent 13 years in the Marines. And most importantly, he never forgot where he came from and the community that helped him along the way. I’m proud to endorse him and am grateful he’s in this fight.”
“In my 30 years of service to North County, I have met many candidates — but I rarely meet someone who shares Lucas Kunce’s tenacity, authenticity, and dedication to fighting for my community and others across Missouri,” said Councilwoman Rita Heard Days. “Lucas Kunce isn’t just the only person who can flip this U.S. Senate seat — he’s also someone I know will put Missourians first, just like he is in this campaign. That’s why I’m endorsing him and why I’ll work hard to help him win.”
“In a state full of cities, towns, neighborhoods, and families that have been left behind, Lucas Kunce has built a movement to take power back for all of our communities,” said Megan Green, St. Louis Board of Aldermen President. “His people-powered and worker-led coalition is the path to victory for everyday Missourians in this U.S. Senate race. The time to rally behind him is now.”
“Lucas Kunce has shown up for me and for my community,” said Chantelle Nickson-Clark, State Representative, North County St. Louis. “No one has put in more work across the entire state to defeat Josh Hawley in 2024 than Lucas Kunce, and no one has a better shot to get it done. That’s why I’m proud to endorse him and to be putting in the work to help him win this race.”
“Senators are supposed to care about our communities. They’re supposed to represent all of us. That’s why I’m proud to endorse Lucas,” said Jackson County Executive Frank White Jr. “I know that he’ll be a partner for Jackson County and will always stand up for us. His career has been one of service, and I’m excited to work hard to elect a Senator that lives real Missouri values.”
A partial list of organizations as well as current and former elected officials endorsing Lucas Kunce for U.S. Senate includes:
Bill Clay Sr, Former Congressman and St. Louis Civil Rights Icon
Megan Green, President of the St. Louis Board of Aldermen
Frank White Jr, Jackson County Executive and Royals Hall of Famer
Joe Maxwell, Missouri’s 45th Lieutenant Governor
Susan Montee, Missouri’s 35th State Auditor
Jenna Redel, Boone County Treasurer
Rita Heard Days, St. Louis County Councilwoman and 30-year North County Leader* (*Added June 15, 2023)
Rasheen Aldridge Jr, St. Louis Alderman and former State Representative and Ferguson Commission Appointee
Shameem Clark Hubbard, St. Louis Alderwoman
Chantelle Nickson-Clark, State Representative, HD-67, North St. Louis County
Kimberly-Ann Collins, State Representative, HD-77, St. Louis
Adrian Plank, State Representative, HD-47, Boone County
Michael Johnson, State Representative, HD-23, Kansas City
Tim Lowery, Mayor of Florissant, St. Louis County’s largest city
Barbara Eagleton, wife of the late U.S. Senator Tom Eagleton and influential St. Louis advocate
Katheryn Shields, Kansas City Councilwoman and former Jackson County Executive
Manny Abarca, Jackson County Legislator
Wes Shoemyer, Former State Senator, Northeast Missouri
The Missouri AFL-CIO
The Missouri Fire Fighters (Missouri State Council of Fire Fighters, MSCFF)
Pipe Fitters 533
The St. Louis Building and Construction Trades Council
The Greater Kansas City Building and Construction Trades Council
UFCW Local 655, Missouri’s largest private-sector local union
IBEW Local 124
Iron Workers Local 10
Insulators Local 63
Roofers Local 2
Insulators Local 1
Roofers Local 20
Sprinkler Fitters Local 268
Bricklayers Local 1
Tilesetters Local 18
Iron Workers Local 396
Social Security Works PAC
“I’ve won statewide as a Democrat. I know what it takes, and Lucas Kunce has what it takes to build the coalition needed to win in Missouri,” said Joe Maxwell, former Lt. Governor and a nationally influential advocate for family farmers.
“There’s only one reason we have a shot at beating Josh Hawley in 2024: Lucas Kunce, and the record-breaking coalition behind him,” said Alderman Rasheen Aldridge Jr. “He’ll do more than just fight for us in the U.S. Senate — he’s already putting in the work to build the resources and people power we’ll need to take this seat back for everyday Missourians. Let’s rally for Lucas and put this race on the map!”
“Missouri firefighters deserve to have leaders they can always count on to fight for them in Washington, regardless of party or politics,” said Demetris “Al” Alfred, President, Missouri State Council of Fire Fighters. “We’re proud to endorse Lucas Kunce for U.S. Senate, a Marine veteran who has dedicated his life to real service. If you know Lucas, you know that Lucas shows up — and our unmatched grassroots organization is ready to show up for him on the pavement and at the doors in our communities.”
“From his worker-focused campaign to his service in the Marine Corps, it’s clear that Lucas Kunce will be a champion for working people in the U.S. Senate who will always put service to Missouri first before himself,” said Jacob Hummel, President, Missouri AFL-CIO. “Lucas Kunce is the ally that working people need in the U.S. Senate, and so Missouri’s labor movement is mobilizing now to help him win this seat.”
“I’m so grateful to have leaders from across the entire state of Missouri—people who’ve stood up for their communities time and time again—get behind our campaign,” said Kunce. “Each of these leaders knows what’s at stake. They know this is our one shot to take this U.S. Senate seat back for working families in Missouri. This is how we build a coalition that will defeat Josh Hawley.”
