Officially, former state Sen. Bob Onder still is a candidate for lieutenant governor.
But the Lake Saint Louis Republican sure sounds like someone who might be headed for an even higher office.
In a radio appearance Monday — live from Iowa, where he was stumping for former President Donald Trump — Onder made rumblings that he may pivot from seeking the No. 2 spot in the state and instead vie to replace retiring U.S. Rep. Blaine Luetkemeyer, R-St. Elizabeth.
Luetkemeyer’s heavily Republican 3rd Congressional District is a far-flung affair: It touches on the Lake of the Ozarks and then reaches east across the state to take in eastern St. Charles County and western Jefferson County.
“Who we send to Congress at this critical time ... is very important,†said Onder,  on KSSZ (93.9 FM), a conservative talk station in Columbia.
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Onder said the solution to the problems he sees in the country can be changed “by taking back the White House or by sending the right people to Congress.â€
Onder did not return calls Wednesday from the Post-Dispatch.
At this time, the only unreservedly declared GOP candidate for Luetkemeyer’s seat is state Sen. Mary Elizabeth Coleman, R-Arnold.
Other names mentioned as possible contenders include state Sens. Nick Schroer, R-Defiance, and Travis Fitzwater of Callaway County; and former state Senate President Dave Schatz.
Schroer previously has said he won’t run if Onder declares his candidacy.Â
As for the lieutenant governor's race, the GOP candidates include Missouri House Speaker Dean Plocher, state Sen. Holly Rehder, Franklin County Clerk Tim Baker and unsuccessful congressional candidate Paul Berry III.
The need is not yet pressing for Onder to declare his race: The deadline for filing for the Congressional primaries is Feb. 27; the primary will be Aug. 6.
But Onder said he likely will decide “in the next week or two.â€