ST. LOUIS–(KMOX)–In the closing hours of his fight for the newly-redrawn 1st Congressional District, Lacy Clay is claiming the upper hand over his fellow Democrat Russ Carnahan.

Crossing paths at a ribbon cutting, the two longtime friends turned rivals were cordial, posing for a picture shaking hands.

But privately, Clay says based on his internal polling and the reception he’s received he expects to beat Carnahan. Clay has not had a serious challenger since winning a five-way primary in 2000. He says he takes comfort in the new district containing 80 percent of his old district.

With campaign engines still tuned up from a recent challenge by Republican Ed Martin, Carnahan says he’s “very confident” he will win Tuesday, but declined to discuss his internal polling on the race against Clay.

“At this point, it’s all about turnout,” Carnahan said.

The race has featured some jabs from both sides, with Carnahan accusing Clay of being in the pocket of the Rent to Own industry — and Clay accusing Carnahan of siding with the Tea Party on a vote on Medicare. 

Copyright KMOX