Prominent St. Louis-area journalist Ray Hartmann is running for the 2nd Congressional District seat held by Republican Ann Wagner.
Hartmann announced on Thursday he’s entering the Democratic primary, where he’ll face John Kiehne. The district includes areas of St. Louis, St. Charles, Warren and Franklin counties.
Hartmann's career has including founding the Riverfront Times and serving as a speechwriter for Gov. Kit Bond in the 1970s.
Because he’s decided to enter the political arena, Hartmann is departing as a panelist on Nine Network’s "Donnybrook" after roughly 37 years.
Hartmann said he presents a clear choice for voters on issues like abortion rights. He expects high interest in that issue, especially if activists are able to collect enough signatures to get a constitutional amendment legalizing the procedure on the August or November ballot.
“Women's freedom is clearly on the ballot. And in a race like this in the 2nd District, there'll be a real clear-cut choice on that issue,” Hartmann said. “I would certainly vote in Congress to codify Roe v. Wade as the law of the land. I don't speak for Ann Wagner, I think it's pretty clear she'd be voting in the opposite direction.”
Wagner is opposed to abortion rights with exceptions in the cases of rape or incest or to save the life of the mother.
While Wagner is a “really good person,” Hartmann said, she has “consistently enabled Donald Trump.” If Trump returns to the White House next year, Hartmann said he would do a better job of holding him accountable.
“We need a Congress that will not enable him,” Hartmann said.
A campaign spokesman for Wagner did not immediately return a request for comment.
Before he can take on Wagner, Hartmann will have to get through a Democratic primary. Kiehne of Pacific has run for state legislative seats over the past few election cycles, including unsuccessful races for the state Senate in 2018 and 2022.
One of the factors for any of Wagner’s Democratic opponents is the way the 2nd District was redrawn in 2022. While it is not as GOP-leaning as other congressional districts in the state, St. Charles, Franklin and Warren counties are heavily Republican.
“Don't underestimate the factor of turnout in this election being different than it was in previous elections, particularly with reproductive freedom on the ballot,” Hartmann said. “It’s not the only issue by any means. But this is a pivotal issue in our lives, women and men.”
“If I can build the right team and get the right level of turnout. And I think people do know me in the district,” he added. “I think I have a chance to win.”
