Mo-2 Democratic 49-Vote Primary: ReCount Likely, Wagner Awaits August 10, 2012

St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Two Democrats seeking to run against Republican Ann Wagner to represent Missouri’s second congressional district are separated by 49 votes.
In unofficial returns from the Democratic primary, Glenn Koenen defeated Harold Whitfield by 49 votes on Tuesday. (7,893 to 7,844.)
Whitfield said on Thursday that he will request a recount after the election results are certified by Missouri Secretary of State Robin Carnahan.
“I’d like to run against Ann Wagner,” said Whitfield, a lawyer from Kirkwood.
But unless a recount is successful, Wagner will face Koenen, of Oakville.
The district is dominated by Republicans. Neither Democratic candidate ran a major media campaign. Koenen raised just $3,600 and loaned himself $5,000 for the campaign.
By contrast, Wagner raised more than $1.9 million. She had about $525,000 in cash on hand through mid July, according to campaign finance reports. Much of that money has gone toward television ads.

Breaking: Mo Scout Had It Right, Martin Switches, Now Running for Missouri AG January 26, 2012

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.

Ed Martin Switching Again? ‘Missouri Scout’ Says, Maybe January 26, 2012

A quick line at the top of John Combest’s political wrap website points to a ‘Missouri Scout’ report saying Mo-2 GOP candidate Ed Martin may be considering switching races. Again.
Martin may jump into the Republican contest for Attorney General.
Martin could not be reached early Thursday morning.
Martin first entered the GOP primary race for US Senate. He then switched to the St. Louis area Mo-2 GOP primary race. He’s facing the well-funded, well-established, campaign of GOP power player Ann Wagner.

Missouri Redistricting Legal Battle Heads to Appeals Court, Lines for KC’s Mo-5 a Major Issue December 16, 2011

(Information for much of this story comes from the st. louis beacon via johncombest.com)Critics of Missouri’s redrawn congressional districts have filed an appeal with the state Supreme Court, as a result of a lower-court judge’s decision — as expected — to dismiss their suit seeking new boundaries.
St. Louis lawyer Gerry Greiman, who represents some of the revamped map’s local Democratic opponents, said today that the appeal was filed earlier this week, after Judge Daniel R. Green followed through Monday with his order dismissing their case. Green had telegraphed that likely was his plan, after hearing preliminary arguments last week by the new map’s backers and critics.
Green also dismissed a companion suit, filed by Republicans in Kansas City who also challenged the new boundaries.
The Kansas City challenge involved the re-drawn Missouri 5th district. The seat is now held by rep. Emanuel Cleaver. His largely urban district was extended eat into three west Missouri counties. It would also include portions of Kansas City, North in Clay County.
Critics say that re-drawn 5th violates the rule that Congressional districts should be as compact as possible.
Greiman said that suit’s lawyers are expected to file an appeal with the Supreme Court as well. The two suits were merged earlier this month.
Greiman said that plans call for asking the state’s highest court to act swiftly, since candidate filing is slated to get underway in late February for those seeking office in 2012.
Opponents contend that the new map, among other things, unfairly penalizes the state’s two largest urban areas — St. Louis and Kansas City. The map was drawn by the Republican-dominated General Assembly last spring; legislators then overrode Gov. Jay Nixon’s veto.

Martin Decides to Stay in Congressional race, Passes on Bid for Governor December 10, 2011

From the St. Louis Beacon via johncombest:

A supportive Facebook page notwithstanding, St. Louis lawyer Ed Martin has decided against running for Missouri governor and will stick with his current Republican quest for the 2nd District congressional seat, a spokesman says.
“He will not be running for governor,” spokesman Rush James said today. “Ed’s intention is to change Washington, and that has been his focus from the beginning.”
Martin had touched off a flurry of talk after his radio appearance on KMOX (1120 AM) a week ago, in which he said he was considering yet another campaign switch in the wake of encouragement to run for governor.
James acknowledged that the campaign “sat down and discussed it,” but ultimately Martin decided to stick with his congressional campaign. He is competing against former Ambassador Ann Wagner, a former state GOP chief who has outpaced Martin in fundraising and in endorsements.
Martin earlier had been a candidate for the U.S. Senate when he shifted to the House contest months ago. Martin lately also had been seen as a potential contender for lieutenant governor, during the GOP frenzy following House Speaker Steve Tilley’s surprise decision last month to drop out.
Among the reasons for the talk has been the list of prominent Republicans who have signed on as “friends” on the Facebook page “Draft Martin for Governor’,” the creation of which has been tied by some to Martin allies.
Those who have signed up as “friends” to the page, or posted complimentary comments, include state Sens. Jim Lembke, R-Lemay, and Brian Nieves, R-Washington, former state Rep. Allen Icet, current state Rep. Paul Curtman, Missouri Right to Life president Pam Fichter and former state Rep. Carl Bearden, who now heads a fiscally conservative group, United For Missouri.