ST. LOUIS • When Republican Ed Martin decided to get out of the race for Congress and into the race for state attorney general, he left an unobstructed path for this erstwhile primary rival to secure the nomination.

Right?

Not exactly.

Shortly before Martin dropped out, a third Republican, Dr. Randy Jotte, entered the fray. It would be easy to ignore Jotte's viability as a contender: the former Webster Groves councilman and emergency room physician has lost two previous races, for county council and the legislature, in the last four years.

So, it makes sense that when Wagner's Washington-based fundraising consultant sent around an email trying to drum up support for her in the Beltway, she described the race as uncontested.

"ANN is running for the Todd Akin open-seat and has NO primary opposition," fundraiser Alice Perry wrote last week. "This is a GREAT race to get in on early!"

Sounds like a strong pitch — so long as it doesn't get into the hands of the opposition you're telling donors doesn't exist.

Of course, that's exactly what happened.

On Monday, Jotte sent the email to reporters, along with a statement declaring "Wagner Campaign Deceives Donors."

“While I realize Ann would like to not have a Republican primary, I’m certain she knows the reality that she does," Jotte said. "Not only did she meet with me personally, one of her staffers videotaped my campaign announcement on January 24th."

The email from Perry offered potential donors "available coffee times" for Wagner's visit to Washington next month and a choice of two fundraising events to attend, including a March 6 lunch with U.S. Rep. John Shimkus, R-Collinsville.

According to Jotte, the email was intended for Capitol Hill lobbyists, which makes sense: D.C. isn't the place to find residents of Missouri's Second Congressional District.

Jotte has raised about $60,000, mostly from physicians around the country. He also loaned himself $100,000.

Instead of being embarrassed by the leaked email, perhaps the Wagner campaign should encouraged.

After all, nothing helps fundraising like competition.