Clay told the Beacon that he would prefer that the city of St. Louis be split between two districts -- as sought by city officials and civic leaders -- rather than placed entirely in the 1st District. "When we get the final lines, I will be eager to serve the people, the new constituents of my district,” Clay said. “I will run for re-election and I will win decisively.” He added that he wasn't concern about the prospect of facing other Democrats in a primary. “I’ve been running (for office) for 27 years. And I’ve had primaries where I’ve been outspent. How about that?” Clay said. “But I haven’t lost one. It’s about how you work, how you represent people and how you campaign.” “So I don’t fear any opponent. And so what you have more money in the bank than me? You’re not going to beat me. OK? That’s where I’m at,” he added. “In 2000, when I ran for this seat, I was outspent by Charlie Dooley – a little known fact.” Dooley is now St. Louis County executive. Rupp said that state Sen. Robin Wright-Jones, D-St. Louis, was the only conferee who declined to sign the compromise.
St. Louis Beacon - Missouri House, Senate cut deal on redistricting