Politics & Government

Ballwin's Ann Wagner Stresses Grassroots Moving Ahead for Congress Seat

Wagner won the Republican spot on the ballot for Missouri's 2nd Congressional District in the Aug. 7 primary.

Ballwin resident Ann Wagner, Republican candidate for Missouri's 2nd Congressional District, said she won't forget where home is as she moves forward.

"This district is so personal to me -- it's home," Wagner said after her victory speech for the Aug. 7 primary. "I will be in Washington, D.C., not of it."

Wagner was joined by more than 100 supporters, family and friends in the Frontenac Room at the Hilton Frontenac Tuesday night. From 7 p.m. on, guests watched the Olympics before the giant screen switched to streaming election results, meanwhile enjoying drinks and light foods during the wait for Wagner's official announcement.

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Campaign Chair Catherine Hanaway introduced Wagner at close to 9:30. Wagner's family stood by her side as she addressed the crowd with a victory speech and extended thanks. She teared up when she thanked her mother, also in attendance, and remembered her father who had passed away three weeks ago.

"Overall, I am proud of running a positive campaign," Wagner said. She added her campaign would move forward with the same strategy, describing the 16-month haul as a "grassroots organization" focused on people.

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"We've knocked on 25,000 doors and made 60,000 volunteer phone calls," Wagner said. "We have not made a single 'robo call.'"

Wagner said her neighbors and Ballwin friends were "very responsive and willing to step up" to support her campaign for Congress. When Patch asked what she'd like to see as a direct impact in Ballwin, she stressed a growth in businesses, calling herself a "strong advocate for small business owners."

The primary resulted in Wagner's victory over Randy Jotte of Webster Groves, 66 percent to 23 percent at 99 percent reporting Tuesday evening. Contenders John Morris came in at 7 percent and James Baker at 4 percent.

After long-waited results, . 


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