ST. LOUIS • St. Louis Republican Ed Martin announced this morning that he will drop out of the race for Congress — and instead run for Missouri attorney general.

The unexpected twist marks the second time that Martin, a lawyer, has changed his mind about what office he is running for in the last year.

Initially, Martin wanted to challenge Democrat Claire McCaskill for U.S. Senate. Then he entered the race for the open seat for the 2nd Congressional District.

But in that contest, he was facing the much better-funded Ann Wagner, who has captured much of the support that Martin had used to nearly upset U.S. Rep. Russ Carnahan, D-St. Louis, in 2010.

Martin, a lawyer who graduated from St. Louis University Law School, said he was gradually attracted to the attorney general's race in no small part because he believes the post would allow him to counter President Barack Obama's healthcare reform plan.

"My career has been about using my skills to make a difference," Martin said. "My real almost obsession has been Obamacare and what it's going to be doing."

Martin's surprise announcement comes just days before his congressional campaign would have shown his latest campaign numbers — a hint that those fundraising totals were not improving.

But running for statewide office has the potential to make Martin far more competitive. Unlike federal races, candidates seeking statewide offices can accept unlimited campaign donations.

With a few key donors, Martin could be in a financial position to challenge incumbent Attorney General Chris Koster, a Democrat.

Martin abandoned his bid for U.S. Senate in May, after it became clear that U.S. Rep. Todd Akin would also enter the race. Once Akin did, Martin joined the fray to take his current seat. More recently, Martin also flirted with the possibility of running for governor after Lt. Gov. Peter Kinder stayed out of the race. 

Martin’s announcement Thursday came with a slew of endorsements, including all six Republican members of Congress from Missouri and leaders of the General Assembly. Noticeably absent was Wagner, who issued her own statement wishing him well.

Martin, a lawyer, said he became gradually attracted to the attorney general’s race because of an “almost obsession” of stopping the president’s health care reform law. Martin dismissed the notion that his itinerancy could hurt his creditability.

Martin pointed out that his presumptive opponent is no stranger to political repositioning.

“If I’m Chris Koster, I actually changed my party,” said Martin, referring to Koster’s defection from the Republican Party a year before he ran for attorney general.