Busch beer heiress enters Missouri US Senate race

(AP) — Anheuser-Busch beer heiress Trudy Busch Valentine is running for U.S. Senate as a Democrat. 

The daughter of the late chairman of the Anheuser-Busch Companies announced her candidacy for retiring Republican U.S. Sen. Roy Blunt’s seat Tuesday. 

Busch Valentine’s entrance to the race comes days after Republican candidate Eric Greitens was accused of physically assaulting members of his family. 

The allegations against Greitens have added fresh urgency to a GOP push to ensure the party doesn’t nominate a damaged candidate who risks losing the otherwise safe Republican seat to a Democrat. 

Former state Sen. Scott Sifton is dropping out of the Democratic primary and endorsing Busch Valentine.