JEFFERSON CITY 鈥 State Sen. Mary Elizabeth Coleman on Friday became the first Republican to jump into the race to replace retiring U.S. Rep. Blaine Luetkemeyer.
鈥淚鈥檓 running for Congress because we need to secure the southern border and put a stop to the endless flow of illegal immigration; we need to protect and defend human life; we need to stand up for our daughters and the girls of our state by protecting women鈥檚 sports; and we need to get back to the economic prosperity we had under President Trump by reversing Bidenomics, which has inflated the price of everything for Missouri families,鈥 the Jefferson County lawmaker said in a news release.
Coleman鈥檚 announcement could be the first of many. Luetkemeyer鈥檚 retirement promises to lead to a competitive GOP primary as ambitious state lawmakers and others see an opportunity to capture a rare open congressional seat.
People are also reading…
State Sen. Nick Schroer, R-Defiance, told the Post-Dispatch on Thursday: 鈥淚鈥檒l have to talk to my family, supporters, and pray on what decision to make.鈥
Former state Sen. Bob Onder, who had announced a bid for lieutenant governor, could pivot to the congressional race. He Jason Rosenbaum Friday that 鈥測ou gotta look at the way you can best serve.鈥
Onder, who represented a St. Charles County district before he was termed out, has experience running for Congress, losing to Luetkemeyer in the 2008 GOP primary.
Onder developed a reputation as a thorn in the side of Republican leadership and could contrast with someone like former Senate President Dave Schatz of Sullivan, who expressed interest in the race during a Friday interview.
鈥淲hen something like this occurs, you have to consider your options,鈥 said Schatz, who self-funded a losing bid in a crowded GOP primary for U.S. Senate in 2022.
鈥淪enator Onder and I obviously we鈥檝e clashed on some issues,鈥 Schatz said. 鈥淚 do believe that we both would consider ourselves to be conservative Republicans but I mean they鈥檝e decided to brand themselves as a different type of conservative.鈥
Two additional Republican state senators that have been mentioned include state Sen. Travis Fitzwater of Summit in Callaway County and Senate President Caleb Rowden of Columbia, though Rowden said Thursday he would continue running for secretary of state this year. Fitzwater did not respond to a request for comment.
After being elected to four-year terms in 2022, Coleman, Fitzwater and Schroer would be able to run for Congress in 2024 without giving up their state Senate seats.
St. Charles County political observer Arnie Dienoff also said he is weighing a bid.
Another person who could make an entrance into the race is former Gov. Eric Greitens, who also lost in the 2022 primary for U.S. Senate. A Greitens spokesman didn鈥檛 respond to a request for comment.
Republicans who ultimately decide to run will face off in the Aug. 6 GOP primary.
Luetkemeyer鈥檚 heavily Republican 3rd Congressional District is an amalgamation of counties and parts of counties produced as a result of intense negotiation during redistricting in 2022.
The district stretches from Cooper County south to Jefferson City and the Lake of the Ozarks, with two extensions around the 狐狸视频 area 鈥 one reaching into eastern St. Charles County and the other scooping up Crawford, Washington and western parts of Jefferson counties.
The only Democratic-leaning pockets of the district include southern portions of Columbia, parts of Jefferson City, a precinct in Fulton, and a handful of St. Charles County precincts.
Luetkemeyer won reelection in 2022 by a 65%-to-35% margin against Democrat Bethany Mann, who had an active campaign account as of Friday. She blasted Luetkemeyer鈥檚 tenure on social media after his announcement.
Among other things, she criticized Luetkemeyer for signing on to an amicus brief challenging the 2020 election results and for 鈥渉is advocacy for deregulation and profit-over-people.鈥
鈥淲e can build exciting things together 鈥 cleaner waterways, fully supported education from pre-K to college, and an economy that works for everyone,鈥 she said.
Not everyone was so critical of Luetkemeyer.
鈥淭hank you for your service as our congressman,鈥 Fitzwater said on X. 鈥淵our work, demeanor, and efforts represented our district well.鈥
Those interested in running won鈥檛 have to decide right away. Candidate filing for the August primary opens on Feb. 27 and closes March 26.
Editor鈥檚 note: Spelling of Holts Summit has been corrected.