— After eight years as Missouri’s Secretary of State, Robin Carnahan has decided she wants to do something different.
To fill her void, State Rep. Jason Kander, D-Kansas City, has announced his candidacy for the office.
“I want to express my deep gratitude to Secretary Carnahan for her years of service to Missouri. In a state full of accomplished public servants her achievements stand out. Her dedication to public service has made this state demonstrably better,” said Kander. “It is important that the next Secretary of State continues moving the office forward in the most efficient and effective manner.”
Kander, a veteran of the war in Afghanistan, said he offers someone who understands business, wants to fight corruption, and be “beholden to noone but the voters.”
“Our next Secretary of State must be committed to working every day to making Missouri stronger,” he said. “I am running for Secretary of State and I look forward to talking with citizens from across Missouri about my vision for the office.”
Carnahan, meanwhile, said she hopes to continue to serve Missouri, but in a different capacity.
“I plan to stay engaged and involved,” she said, “that could include running for elected office again, but it will certainly mean speaking out and working hard for the values we share and the candidates who stand up for them.”
Her announcement comes after months of low fundraising numbers, and a statewide loss in her Senate bid last year.
**UPDATE** Two Republican candidates, State Sen. Scott Rupp, and State Sen. Bill Stouffer, have already announced their candidacies, but GOP operatives suggest more are likely to evaluate the race with Carnahan out.
On a short list, per one GOP operative: Sen. Brad Lager, Speaker Pro Tem Shane Schoeller, Chairman John Diehl, and State Rep. Caleb Jones.