As we close in on the August primary and look ahead to November’s elections, University City Patch is devoted to bringing you the information you need about every race in town. Here's our start on the candidates and issues we'll be covering as November draws near. 

In addition to our own coverage, we will be inviting candidates in every race to upload information about their campaigns directly to this site. You will definitely want to bookmark this page for updates.

U.S. Senate

Claire McCaskill's bid for re-election will be closely watched by the entire nation in part because of her close ties to President Obama's 2008 campaign. 

The fiercely-fought GOP primary willf see U.S. Rep. Todd Akin (R-Wildwood), former State Treasurer Sarah Steelman or Frontenac businessman John Brunner emerge as McCaskill's opponent.

The "Tea Party" movement will also be a factor in the campaign, with one activist's comments about killing "the Claire Bear" drawing added scrutiny and security for McCaskill. 

In the meantime, dueling Tea Party factions have given different endorsements in the Republican primary.

Congress

Redistricting brought on by the latest Census results has eliminated one of Missouri's congressional districts, forcing incumbents Willliam "Lacy" Clay and Russ Carnahan to square off in a primary to see who will represent the city of St. Louis and areas south, along with portions of St. Louis County stretching to the Maryland Heights border with Creve Coeur.

The primary winner will be an overwhelming favorite against either Robyn Hamlin or Martin Baker in November.

Missouri's new Second district is guaranteed to see someone new elected, with Rep. Akin's decision to run for the Senate. Former RNC Co-Chair and U.S. Ambassador Ann Wagner has seen party stars like Chris Christie and Mike Huckabee come into the fold to support her, enough so that it helped push Ed Martin to change races. Former Webster Groves city councilman Dr. Randy Jotte has stayed in the primary.

Wagner would face one of a field of largely-unknown Democrats, none of whom has attracted support from national party leaders. 

Issues

In August voters will be asked to decide on a measure proposing "a constitutional amendment guaranteeing a citizen's right to pray and worship on public property and reaffirming a citizen's right to choose any or no religion," according to the state law calling for the vote. A Patch story on the issue generated nearly 100 comments earlier this year.

The fate of statewide ballot issues will not be decided until later this summer.

Voters in the St. Louis County Public Library system will be asked to vote on a measure which would call for a 6 cent tax increase to fund improvements at facilities system-wide. That vote does not impact University City residents.