JEFFERSON CITY — A lawyer with no previous political experience has joined the race for a seat in the Missouri Senate representing a swath of the St. Louis area.

Democrat Chris Clark, an attorney at the Thompson Coburn law firm, said in an announcement Monday that he will focus on rising housing, food and childcare costs and pledged to oppose Republican efforts to limit access to abortion.

Clark is part of a growing field of candidates running in the 4 th Senate District currently held by Sen. Karla May, D-St. Louis. She is term-limited and leaving office next year.

The primary election in the heavily Democratic district is Aug. 4.

Current state Rep. Steve Butz, D-St. Louis, and former state Rep. Gina Mitten, D-Richmond Heights, already are running for the post. Rep. LaKeySha Bosle

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