From today until March 25th, Missouri candidates have the opportunity to file for office
Today saw 317 candidates file. 19 for the five statewide offices. 23 for the 9 seats in Congress, 25 for the 17 open state senate seats, 13 for circuit judgeships, and 237 for the 163 seats in the Missouri State House.
So, here's a summary of events so far..
Four Republicans filed for Governor. US Rep. Kenny Hulshof and Treasurer Sarah Steelman are the best known. I have no idea who Scott Long of Mountain View is. Richard Kline of Gipsy is an ultrafrequent candidate who is best known for being the nominee in the 8th district in 1996 because Bill Emerson died after a legal deadline. Kline won 10% in 1996 in an election that Jo Ann Emerson as an Independent.
Jay Nixon is unopposed so far. And Chief Wana Dubie (Libertarian) has not filed.
Some more?
There's nothing big on tap for Lt. Governor, yet. Kinder and Page are running. So are Paul Douglas Sims (R-Lecoma) and Michael E. Carter (D-St. Charles) who are unknowns. Along with Teddy Fleck (LP-Springfield).
The Democratic primary for Treasurer is Mark Powell v. Clint Zweifel v. Andria Simckes. Brad Lager is running on the Republican side.
Chris Koster, Jeff Harris, and Margaret Donnelly are running for Attorney General. Along with Michael Gibbons.
As for Congress..
Five candidates are running as Dems in the 2nd district, they are Byron DeLear (who ran in 2006 as a member of the Green Party in California), David Pentland, John Hogan, Bill Haas, and Mike Garman.
Eight candidates are running in the 9th, and they are..
on the Republican side: Brock Olivo of Herrmann (who took a Social Studies class), St. Rep. Danie Moore of Fulton, St. Rep. Bob Onder of Lake St. Louis, and Dan Bishir.
on the Democratic side: former State Senator Jeff W. Schaeperkoetter of Owensville, former Speaker of the MO St. House Steve Gaw, St. Rep. Judy Baker of Columbia, and Lyndon Bode of Palmyra.
You can check the entire list here to find more notables. And there are 20 more business days left to file. So the fun is far from over.