Politics

A federal court in Chicago has denied former Illinois Gov. George Ryan's appeal seeking his release from prison.

The 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals issued a complex 16-page ruling Monday denying the 78-year-old Republican's appeal for release from the Indiana prison where he's serving a 6 1/2-year sentence for corruption.

The appeal was widely seen as Ryan's last chance to get out of prison early. He is due to be freed in mid-2013.

One of the biggest match-ups in next Tuesday’s primary will pit Congressman Russ Carnahan against fellow Democrat William ‘Lacy’ Clay to represent the party in the 1st Congressional District.

The two incumbents are have waged heated, and at times spiteful campaigns. The upshot is one less Democrat in Washington for Missouri, and city voters will choose between two well-established political dynasties.

Among the races for Missouri’s statewide offices, the one with the most mudslinging so far is the Republican primary for Lt. Governor.  Peter Kinder is seeking re-election, but he’s facing a major challenge from State Senator Brad Lager.  Both are touting conservative ideals while attacking each other’s records in office. 

St. Louis Public Radio’s Marshall Griffin takes a closer look at next week’s GOP Lt. Governor’s contest.

Missouri’s Democratic primary for Lieutenant Governor is by far the most crowded race in the state this election cycle. The eight candidates running represent a range of experience from across the state.

As St. Louis Public Radio’s Joseph Leahy reports, splitting the ballot eight ways means a winner could emerge with less than 20 percent of the vote.