This article first appeared in the St. Louis Beacon, Sept. 10, 2009 - Former state Rep. Sam Page, D-Creve Coeur, announced this morning that he has the endorsement of County Councilwoman Kathleen Kelly Burkett, D-Overland, for his bid to succeed state Sen. Joan Bray.
Bray, D-University City, can't seek re-election next year because of legislative term limits.
Page, a physician and the unsuccessful Democratic nominee for lieutenant governor last year, is among three Democrats seeking Bray's seat. The others are state Rep. Michael Corcoran of St. Ann (who's saddled with a July DWI), and one of Burkett's colleagues in Clayton, Councilwoman Barbara Fraser.
In a statement released by Page, Burkett (a former chairwoman of the St. Louis County Democratic Party) said:
"I worked with State Representative Sam Page. We shared many constituents, constituents who were in a position to judge him and share their opinion with me. Consequently, Dr. Page has my full endorsement for the Democratic nomination for the State Senate’s 24th District.”
In an interview Thursday night, Burkett said that she and Page have been friends for years, and previously have campaigned together. She added that her support of Page reflected her belief that he was the best candidate, and not a knock at Fraser or Corcoran.
