Two Missouri Republicans making bids for Emerson's seat

By Alexandra Jaffe - 01/03/13 10:37 AM ET

Two prominent Missouri Republicans are actively pursuing outgoing Rep. Jo Ann Emerson's (R) seat after she resigns in February, adding their names to a growing list of contenders for the seat.

Lt. Gov. Peter Kinder and former state treasurer and state Sen. Sarah Steelman are both vying for the seat, according to reports.

PoliticMo, a Missouri political blog, reports that Kinder has already begun the process of meeting with a number of the 80 members on the 8th District Republican Committee. He also sent a letter to the members of the committee outlining his credentials, calling himself a "team player."

“I have always been a team player. Numerous times, I have put our party above personal ambition. I spent countless years taking and building a Republican majority in both the Senate and the House. I have bowed out of races when I felt it would divide the party or undermine our chances to win,” he wrote. “We need a congressman committed to ensure conservative Republicans represent every corner of this district in the state House and state Senate.”

And the Southeast Missourian reports that Steelman emailed committee members on Wednesday, also expounding on her qualifications for the position.

"I have a record as a true fiscal and social conservative and as someone who wasn't afraid to stand up for what was right, even if my party or the 'powers that be' were against me," Steelman wrote.

Steelman most recently ran for the GOP Senate nomination in Missouri, but lost her primary bid to Rep. Todd Akin (R-Mo.), who ultimately went on to lose.

According to reports, former Rep. Wendell Bailey and Missouri GOP Executive Director Lloyd Smith also announced their candidacies in December.

Once Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon has been notified of Emerson's vacancy in February, the Missouri secretary of state's office will inform the 8th District Republican Committee, and the committee, which is made up of 80 members, will have to come together within two weeks to nominate a candidate to run in a special election.

The governor will set a date for the special election, and is required to give 10 weeks’ notice of that date.

Because of the red lean of the state, the district committee's nominee is likely to win the special.