ST. LOUIS (AP) — Another Ashcroft has entered politics in Missouri.

John Ashcroft was a two-term governor, a senator and U.S. attorney general under President George W. Bush. Now, his 41-year-old son, Jay, is seeking the Republican nomination for a state Senate seat out of St. Louis County in a three-way race on Aug. 5.

It won’t be easy. Even if Ashcroft wins the primary, the district leans Democratic and state Rep. Jill Schupp, a Creve Coeur Democrat, promises a well-funded race in November.

Ashcroft told the St. Louis Post-Dispatch that some supporters urged him to move to a more Republican district, but he wanted to stay.