A white politician running for a state senate seat in a predominately black St. Louis district has accused his black opponent of racism. Pat Dougherty, then a State Representative, won the 4th Senatorial District in 2000, outpolling two black candidates. He is being challengedin the Democratic primary by black State Representative O.L. Shelton. At issue is an ad Shelton took out in the St. Louis American, a black newspaper. The ad shows photos of the five black State Senators who served the 4th district since 1961, then one of Dougherty, which is crossed out with a white “X”. Dougherty says the ad went too far and that Shelton, who is black, used Dougherty’s picture to make sure voters know he’s white.