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Martin switches races, starts GOP political shuffle

By   /   May 9, 2011  /   6 Comments

Officially announcing plans to run for election in the second congressional district instead of the race for Senate, Ed Martin started what will likely become a round of political musical chairs among Republicans in Missouri.

Click for video of Ed Martin announcing his new campaign for the second district

Martin announced his new campaign in an online video released Monday, shifting his focus from the statewide race to unseat Sen. Claire McCaskill, a Democrat, to focus on the new second district.

Former Republican National Committee Co-Chair Ann Wagner announced she formed an exploratory committee for the district in April, saying she will run if a seat opens in the second district.

Rep. Todd Akin, a Republican who currently represents the second district encompassing numerous suburbs near St. Louis, is expected to enter the race to try and unseat McCaskill in 2012.

Former Missouri Treasurer Sarah Steelman entered the statewide primary first, announcing her Senate campaign in December.

Martin, who lost his first congressional campaign last fall, followed earlier this year, announcing his candidacy for Senate in January.

There is also the possibility Rep. Russ Carnahan, a Democrat who defeated Martin, may enter the race in the second district.

The current third congressional district, represented by Carnahan, was eliminated last week when the Missouri General Assembly voted to override the governor’s veto of the redistricting map, which outlines eight districts instead of nine.

By Brian R. Hook, brhook@missouriwatchdog.org, (314) 482-7944

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Brian Hook