Democrats want Kansas City mayor to challenge Graves

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) -- Mayor Kay Barnes met with Democratic leaders in Congress on Thursday who want her to challenge Republican Rep. Sam Graves in 2008.

Barnes met with House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, D-Md., and other Democratic officials while she was in Washington for the U.S. Conference of Mayors winter meetings.

"I've been involved in some general discussions, but I don't have any comment beyond that," Barnes told The Kansas City Star.

Barnes, 67, also met with Sen. Claire McCaskill, D-Mo., who encouraged Barnes to run for the 6th Congressional District seat.

"I certainly told her that I thought she would be a great candidate," McCaskill said. "She has not made up her mind to do this. I want to give her space."

Democratic officials in Missouri tried to persuade Barnes to challenge Graves before the 2006 election, but she declined, saying she wanted to focus on her second term as mayor. Graves easily defeated Clay County Democrat Sara Jo Shettles with 62 percent of the vote.

A Graves campaign spokeswoman said the congressman is more concerned about the new farm bill and boosting the role of renewable energy. Graves first won the seat in 2000.

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Information from: The Kansas City Star, http://www.kcstar.com