Democrats are hoping these two represent Missouri in the U.S. Senate.
Secretary of State Robin Carnahan's decision to get into the 2010 Senate race was as shocking as other
recent political events. Nor is it that surprising that big names are lining up to anoint her as the Democratic standard bearer. After all, the state party chief - Craig Hosmer - effectively endorsed Carnahan the day U.S. Sen. Kit Bond, R-Missouri, announced his retirement.
AP's David Lieb reports that Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee Robert Menendez has pretty much endorsed Carnahan's bid for the seat currently being held by U.S. Sen. Kit Bond.
“Secretary of State Carnahan is the best candidate for the United
States Senate,” said Menendez in a statement. “She has twice
been elected to statewide office, and last year she was reelected with
the most votes ever for a statewide candidate in Missouri history. She
has a proven ability to garner votes across the state including the
rural areas."
It stands to reason that Menendez's comment means that Carnahan will receive the support of the DSCC's financial largess. Any other people who were considering jumping in - such as
U.S. Rep. Lacy Clay, D-St. Louis City - are now likely to get frozen out of the fundraising needed to effectively run.
The three major potential Republican contenders for the seat are U.S. Rep. Roy Blunt, R-Strafford, former state Treasurer Sarah Steelman and former U.S. Sen. Jim Talent, R-Missouri.
The GOP's response to Carnahan's announcement can be found
here.
