Democrats on Thursday temporarily blocked the nomination of a fellow party member to a commission that regulates utilities.

Two weeks ago, Gov. Matt Blunt appointed Kevin Gunn, a lawyer from Webster Groves, to the Missouri Public Commission. Gunn had been the Democrats’ star candidate to replace outgoing Sen. Michael Gibbons, R-Kirkwood. Gunn had also built up a $164,000 warchest.

When Gunn accepted the nomination, Senate Democrats felt betrayed. So when they were asked to give “advice and consent” on Gunn’s nomination, several Dems took the “advice” portion to heart.

They talked. And then talked some more. It had the makings of a full-blown filibuster.

But after only an hour of stalling, Gibbons withdrew the nomination. He said later he would bring it up again and that Gunn’s hopes for the $100,000 a year position aren’t dead.

That’s a good thing for Gunn. Filing for state offices ended Tuesday, and if his PSC nomination were killed, he’d find himself without either job.

Much of the debate focused on Gunn’s qualifications for the job. But the anger over losing a good candidate in a key Senate race was palpable.

“If he doesn’t have the gumption or the spine to run for Senate, that’s certainly his choice,” said Sen. Victor Callahan, D-Independence.

The party was able to recruit Steve Eagleton, the nephew of late U.S. Sen. Tom Eagleton, to run in Gunn’s place. Democrats are now worried Gunn will not turn over his campaign funds to the state Democratic Party.

Despite pulling the plug today, Gibbons said he’ll still try to get Gunn on the PSC board.

“I think he’s an outstanding guy,” Gibbons said. “He’s got a tremendous amount of experience.”

When the nomination does come back up, Callahan says he has “several more hours of material.”