For the second time this campaign cycle, Republican Ed Martin has switched races. The former Chief of Staff to Governor Matt Blunt has announced he will run for the GOP Nomination for Attorney General.
Martin was first in the Republican primary for the US Senate nomination. Then he switched to running for Congress from the Mo-2, in the St. Louis area. Now he’s set his sights on the Attorney General’s race.
Martin made the announcement this morning. He was facing an uphill battle for the GOP Congressional nomination against Missouri Republican power player Ann Wagner. Her nomination now seems all but certain.
The AP reports he made the switch, “while attempting to link Democratic incumbent Chris Koster with President Barack Obama”. Martin is the only announced Republican in the race.
Within minutes, Koster ‘welcomed’ Martin into the campaign.
He said he looked forward to a discussion of the issues.
Koster added in 2008, Missourians elected a courtroom prosecutor to the post. Koster was the Cass County Prosecutor. He flipped parties to run and win as a Democrat.
He added Missouri voted like that in 2008.
“In 2012, I’m confident they will do that again”.
In a statement, Missouri GOP Chairman david Cole telegraphed what may be Martin’s main campaign theme, the Obama healthcare law.
“Ed will fight against job-killing mandates, such as “Obamacare”, he said.
Missouri Democrats immediately jabbed back at Martin’s frequent campaign switches.
“We welcome Ed to the race for how ever long he stays”, according to Missouri Democratic spokeswoman Catlin Legacki.
