Steve Eagleton, one of the co-chairs of “Kirkwood Citizens Coming Together for a Brighter Future,” has filed for the state Senate in the 15th District.

Eagleton and the group had been among the critics of the City Council’s decision to go ahead with the April municipal election, in the wake of the tragic Feb. 7 shootings in the chamber that left six people dead, including the assailant. Two council members, the head of a city department and two police officers were killed.

Eagleton filed late Tuesday afternoon as a Democrat.

So far, only one Republican has filed — Glendale Alderman Eric Schmitt, who is rumored to be the favored choice of the GOP for the seat, which will be vacated by state Senate President Michael Gibbons, R-Kirkwood. He’s term-limited, and is running for Missouri attorney general.

 Which prompts a question in Democratic circles: What’s the situation with Kevin Gunn?

Gunn, also a Democrat, has not filed as of yet. He previously had announced for the post and has raised a considerable sum of campaign money. His last report showed him with just under $165,000 in the bank.

As previous Fix readers are aware, Gunn has been rumored to be under consideration for an appointment by Gov. Matt Blunt to the Public Service Commission. 

 That pick was the talk of Democrat Days, where some Democratic members of the state Senate said privately that Gunn’s nomination would be filibustered if it came about. Gunn has not commented, nor has Blunt’s staff.

Eagleton, 46, is the nephew of the late Sen. Thomas F. Eagleton. (Steve Eagleton’s father, the late Dr. Mark Eagleton, was the senator’s brother.)

Here’s the statement that Steve Eagleton’s campaign just sent out:

“Today, with encouragement from Democrats in the 15^th Senate District and across the state, Steve Eagleton announced his candidacy for the Missouri Senate. Eagleton, an attorney and real-estate developer, lives in Kirkwood with his wife Moranda….”

” ‘Across St. Louis County and Missouri, families are struggling with the skyrocketing cost of healthcare, college tuition, and a lagging economy. Unfortunately, our state’s Republican leadership too often continues to embrace policies that take our state backwards,’ ” Eagleton said in the statement.

“ ‘I am running for State Senate because I know Missouri can do better. We must fix the healthcare crisis, keep college affordable for every family, and support life saving stem-cell research and the world-class jobs it brings.

 “ ‘I am also running because I aspire to the courage, conviction, and selflessness that we remember from our state’s finest men and woman. I grew up in the shadow of these men, such as former Sen. John Danforth and my late uncle, former Sen. Tom Eagleton. They taught me well the approach of a statesman, fighting for the people rather than for special interests.” 

“I’m running for the Missouri Senate; in doing so I make a commitment to the voters of the 15^th Senate District. I commit to help lead our state forward. I commit to offering new ideas, expanding healthcare for every Missourian, and demanding better results from state government. Together, we can rein in the special interests that dominate the political process and return accountability to our government.”