John Bowman, St. Louis County NAACP president, spoke of the importance of “second chances” while announcing his candidacy for the 14th District state Senate seat this week.
He included himself as second-chance worthy.
In 2008, Bowman resigned as a Missouri state representative after pleading guilty in federal court to a charge related to a credit card application.
He was indicted in 2007 for bank fraud and unauthorized use of an access device for allegedly lying on a credit application and paying a Bank of America vice president for assistance in obtaining a credit card.
Bowman agreed to plead guilty to a lesser, misdemeanor charge of paying the vice president $1,000 to influence the approval of the credit application.
“I am not a perfect man,” Bowman said during his announcement at City Jump on Natural Bridge
“In 2008, I made a mistake and stepped away from public life. It was a comma, not a period in my life. Since then, I have never stopped working for the community.”
Bowman said he is running for the seat being vacated by state Sen. Brian Williams because “now is a critical time for the wisdom needed to get us through these turbulent times.”
“We don’t need more political theater. We need action. Our community can’t wait. I won’t wait.”
Bowman was named St. Louis County NAACP president in 2019 and has served as a director of the Northeast Ambulance and Fire Protection District, Normandy Township committeeman, St. Louis Lambert International Airport commissioner.
Bowman is joining a crowded field seeking to replace Williams, who is running for St. Louis County Executive. The declared candidates for the 14th District Senate include:
- State Rep. Doug Clemens. Clemens was elected to the Missouri House in November 2018. He has served as chair of the West Lake/Bridgeton Landfill Community Advisory Group and is active in efforts to remove radioactive waste from the community. He is scheduled to formally announce his candidacy on Aug. 17.
- Shaunte Duncan. Duncan is owner of SMD Consulting, which provides development and consulting services to organizations, businesses, and political candidates. “My passion for social justice, community empowerment, and equitable policies is the driving force behind my decision to run for state Senator,” she states on her campaign website.
- Joe Palm. Palm is a former chief of the Missouri Office of Minority and U.S. Department of Health and Human Services regional director. “[I am] committed to tackling the real challenges facing St. Louis families — from rebuilding trust in local government to addressing crime, revitalizing our neighborhoods, and creating economic opportunities.” Palm states on his campaign website.
- State Rep. Raychel Proudie. Proudie was elected to the Missouri legislature in November 2018. “This isn’t about party politics or petty rivalries. This is about who can actually get things done in a volatile, divided legislature,” Proudie states on her campaign website, adding that she is “redefining what effective leadership looks like in Jefferson City.”
Both Clemens and Proudie are ending their service as House members following the 2026 legislative session because of term limits.
Williams will serve as state senator representing the 14th District during the 2026 legislative session and will take on incumbent County Executive Dr. Sam Page in the Missouri Democratic Primary on Aug. 4, 2026.
The primary election to select a Democratic nomination for the open 14th District senate seat will also be on August 4, 2026.