Trudy Busch Valentine wins Democratic U.S. Senate primary

ST. LOUIS, Mo. (KMIZ)

Trudy Busch Valentine easily won the Democratic U.S. Senate primary on Tuesday over former U.S. Marine Lucas Kunce.

Valentine cast her vote Tuesday at Ladue City Hall and briefly spoke to supporters and media outlets.

Valentine, a nurse and heiress to the Busch beer fortune, was one of 11 Democrats seeking her party's nomination in the primary for the U.S. Senate seat being vacated by Republican Roy Blunt. She held a watch party at the Sheet Metal Workers Hall in St. Louis on Tuesday night.

She held a rally Monday night at Molly's in Soulard in St. Louis. Meanwhile, her campaign was saying on social media that she's the right choice to beat Republicans Eric Greitens and Eric Schmitt in November.

Valentine said she plans to spend time with family before the watch party.

Valentine's primary opposition was Lucas Kunce, a former Marine originally from Cole County. Valentine says she worked for many years as a nurse, supporting families facing difficult circumstances. Her husband John Valentine died of cancer at 49 years old, and in 2020 her oldest son died after battling an opioid addiction.

"I believe that public office is another form of service and I can serve in a bigger way as a United States Senator and I can serve more people," Valentine said in an interview last week with ABC 17 News. "Expanding the Affordable Care Act, doing more with Medicaid, mental health care is a big problem around Missouri and I think the opioid addiction is ravaging Missouri."

Valentine drew criticism from Kunce for being the scion of the wealthy family behind Anheuser-Busch. Kunce has said Valentine's wealthy background makes her out of touch with voters and has emphasized her attendance at the exclusive Veiled Prophet Ball, which barred minorities for decades.

Her answers to questions about LGBTQ rights have also drawn scrutiny from liberals.