Hopeful candidates for state and federal offices trekked to Jefferson City in great numbers on Tuesday to file for the August Primary

Hopeful candidates for state and federal offices trekked to Jefferson City in great numbers on Tuesday to file for the August Primary Election. An unbelievable number of candidates filed for the U-S Senator’s post being vacated by longtime Senator Roy Blunt. Secretary of State Ashcroft reports that there were 15 Republicans to file for the position and 9 Democrats. There is likely to be many more. The filing period will run through March 29th. Republicans who filed Tuesday for the post include Mark McCloskey of St. Louis, former Governor Eric Greitens of Chesterfield, Hartford Tunnell of Carthage, Deshon Porter of St. Louis, Dave Sims of Kansas City, Patrick A. Lewis of Wellsville, Congressman Billy Long of Springfield, State Attorney General Eric Schmitt of Kirkwood, Congresswoman Vicky Hartzler of Harrisonville, C. W. Gardiner of St. Louis, Robert Allen of Defiance, State Senator Dave Schatz of Sullivan, Bernie Mowinski of Sunrise Beach, Dennis Lee Chilton of Springfield. Democrats who filed for U. S. Senator included Gena Ross of Platte City, Lewis Rolen of St. Louis, Spencer Toder of St. Louis, Carla Coffee Wright of St. Louis, Lucas Kunce of Independence, Scott Sifton of St. Louis, Josh Shipp of St. Louis, and Jewel Kelly of Festus. There were 7 Republicans who filed for Vicky Hartzler’s Fourth Congressional District seat. These included Jim Campbell of Climax Springs, Rick Brattin of Harrisonville, William (Bill) Irwin of Harrisonville, Mark Alford of Kansas City, Kalena Bruce of Stockton, Taylor Burks of Hartsburg, and Sara Walsh of Ashland. In the Eighth Congressional District Republican Jason Smith of Cape Girardeau has filed for re-election. He is joined by Republican Jacob Turner of Jackson. This is the congressional district that many observers believe will be the new Congressional District for residents of Pulaski and Laclede Counties. In state offices, Republican Scott Fitzpatrick of Shell Knob filed for re-election as State Auditor. Joining him was Republican David Gregory of St. Louis and Democrat Alan Green of Florissant. Republican Justin Dan Brown of Rolla has filed for re-election as 16th District State Senator. Also filing Tuesday for that position were Republicans–Scott Ridel of Camdenton and Suzie Pollock of Lebanon. Republican State Representative Bill Hardwick of Waynesville has filed for election to the reapportioned 121st House District. Republican State Representative Don Mayhew of Crocker has filed for election to the repportioned 124th House District.