Sifton Drops Out of Dem Primary for Missouri AG

(AP) — Democratic state Sen. Scott Sifton said Thursday that he’s dropping out of next year’s race for Missouri attorney general and instead will seek re-election to the Senate.
Sifton’s departure leaves St. Louis County Assessor Jake Zimmerman as the only Democratic candidate in the race. Two Republicans also are running for the office.
“It has become clear that I can best serve the citizens of south St. Louis County and the State of Missouri by returning to the Senate,” Sifton, of Affton, said in a statement. “I have spent my entire tenure in the Senate advocating ethics reform, and we clearly need it.”
Sifton cited banning lobbyist gifts as one of his priorities for later work in the Senate.
The Missouri attorney general’s office will be open next year because Democratic incumbent Chris Koster has said he plans to run for governor.:
Republican state Sen. Kurt Schaefer of Columbia appears likely to face-off with Republican attorney and University of Missouri School of Law associate professor Josh Hawley in a GOP primary for the seat.