Mo. Republicans scramble after Blunt's unexpected decision

DATELINE: JEFFERSON CITY Mo.

An unprecedented decision by Gov. Matt Blunt has created an unexpected opportunity for Republicans who had been secretly longing to become governor.

Until Blunt announced Tuesday that he will not seek re-election this year, every Missouri governor given the chance to seek re-election by the constitution had chosen to do so.

So as Blunt built up a formidable seven-figure campaign account and sparred repeatedly with his Democratic gubernatorial challenger, Attorney General Jay Nixon, other Republicans assumed he was seeking re-election. Blunt did little to dispel such notions.

Now, Republicans who had quietly dreamed of becoming governor one day are quickly considering whether to seize the day and plunge into the race.

"There is going to be jockeying. I can't imagine there isn't going to be," said George Connor, a political scientist at Missouri State University.

Republican Lt. Gov. Peter Kinder, who had planned to run again for his current office, gave a quick indication that he now likely will run for governor.

"I am the right person to deliver the positive change Missourians deserve," Kinder said in a statement released by his office. "I am heartened by the outpouring of support, and I will formally announce my plans for governor in the coming weeks."

U.S. Attorney Catherine Hanaway, a former Missouri House speaker, said she also is considering the governor's race even though she opted against running for state attorney general just months ago.

"There may be more compelling reasons to run for this office than there was attorney general certainly, you can accomplish more for the state as governor than you can as attorney general," Hanaway said.

Former state Rep. Jack Jackson was particularly surprised, since Jackson had met personally with Blunt over a Governor's Mansion breakfast in October to discuss Jackson's potential challenge of Blunt in a gubernatorial primary. Jackson ended up endorsing Blunt's re-election.

On Tuesday, Jackson said he again was considering a gubernatorial bid. But "it's important that we keep a level head and wait and see how it shakes out," he said.

House Speaker Rod Jetton, still stunned by Blunt's news, said he also would discuss with his family and fellow House Republicans whether he should run for governor.

"It changes everything," Jetton said.

U.S. Rep. Jo Ann Emerson also appears to be pondering the possibilities created by Blunt's departure.

Emerson is "thinking about whether or not to participate in this kind of statewide run," said spokesman Jeffrey Connor.

Other possibilities abound.

How about U.S. Rep. Kenny Hulshof, who strongly considered a gubernatorial campaign in 2004 before deferring to Blunt? A spokesman said Hulshof was surprised by Blunt's decision but had nothing further to add.

Or what about State Treasurer Sarah Steelman, long considered a potential gubernatorial aspirant? Just hours before Blunt's announcement, Steelman announced that she was running for a second term as treasurer. She declined at the time to say whether she had considered challenging Blunt. Steelman did not immediately return telephone messages after Blunt's announcement.

Former U.S. Sen. Jim Talent "is sitting out there" as well, noted political scientist David Webber, of the University of Missouri-Columbia.

Webber said Blunt's announcement was the biggest shock to him since President Lyndon Johnson said he wasn't running for re-election in 1968.

"I'm stunned," he said. "I was down there for the State of the State message (Jan. 15) and talked to people in the halls, and I don't think anybody was thinking about this possibility."

Until voters changed the Missouri Constitution in August 1965, Missouri governors could serve only one four-year term. Democratic Gov. Warren Hearnes, the first afforded the opportunity to serve a second term, became the first to do so with his 1968 re-election.

Since then, every governor has sought re-election, though not every one has won.

Associated Press reporters Chris Blank in Jefferson City, David Twiddy in Kansas City, Christopher Leonard in St. Louis and Sam Hananel in Washington, D.C., contributed to this report.