Sarah Steelman eyes Bond’s Senate seat in 2010
Sarah Steelman
Outgoing Missouri Treasurer Sarah Steelman, who lost a bruising Republican primary for governor to Kenny Hulshof, said this afternoon she will take a look at running for the seat vacated by Sen. Kit Bond in 2010.
Bond announced in the Missouri House Chambers this morning that he will not run for re-election. Bond and Steelman have been at odds lately. Bond endorsed Hulshof in the primary, and Steelman wrote a letter to the Department of Justice to inform investigators of a conversation she had with Bond concerning the ousting of U.S. attorney Todd Graves.
Steelman today praised Bond for his service, but made it clear they don’t see eye to eye on policy.
“The people of Missouri and all over the country are seeking a different direction from Washington,” Steelman told the Post-Dispatch. Referring to the economic doldrums the country is in, Steelman said, “We can see the consequences now of the actions taken by Congress.”
In her run for governor, Steelman pounded Hulshof over his support of congressional earmarks, which have long been supported by Bond. Her campaign had been run by Republican political consultant Jeff Roe, who conflicted with Bond aide Jason Van Eaton when Roe worked in Washington, D.C. for Congressman Sam Graves.
Steelman said she heard about Bond’s decision this morning and was surprised. She said she thought he would run again in 2010.
Now, she’s looking at the seat.
“I’m thinking about it,” she said. “I’m watching what happens. I’ll give it some serious thought. I do think Missourians are ready to go in a new direction in Washington.”
U.S. Rep. Roy Blunt, who also endorsed Hulshof in the primary against Steelman, is also considering a run for the seat, said sources close to the congressman from southwest Missouri.
Democrats should keep an eye on sarah…
very qualified and bright…
she is a lady of integrity and a smart politician…
unlike the dim-witted hill-billy comedian from Alaska.
sarah would be a worthy opponent
I heard Koster was going to switch back to the Republican Party and announce his intention to run.
Sarah is a worthy opponent, but absent health issues I don’t see Robin Carnahan losing a Senate race.
If Sarah and Robin are the nominees, then Missouri seems guaranteed to have two female senators, as does Maine at the moment.
If Roy Blunt is in my money says Roseann Blunt (his ex) will endorse anyone but Roy Blunt after what he did to her.
Roy Blunt doesn’t even live in Missouri and his new wife will never let him. Some enterprising reporter should really ask Blunt about his weird personal life.
Blunt has exactly been on a roll lately either. He lost his attempt to become the Republican leader in Congress and was kicked out all together after the GOP lost so many house seats last November.
Maybe Roy Temple will give Blunt a job now that he’s doing so well in Washington.
Steelman probably wins a fractured Republican primary. The establishment wing of the party will have to narrow the field to beat her. Maybe that’s a contest that will finally prove the value of instant runoff voting (IRV) to establishment Republicans in the general assembly.
Assuming both parties nominate solid candidates for the seat, the success or failure of the Obama Administration at that point in time will probably be the decisive factor in the general election.
Best political news I’ve heard all week! The Republican Party has successfully shot off most of it’s toes, and is now…NOW… giving lip service to Ron Paul supporters. Unfortunately, they are not doing so for the ideals, but rather for the ‘younger’ voters. I predict said voters, made up of all parties, will support Sarah Steelman.
I definitely will.