Emerson endorses Blunt for U.S. Senate

U.S. Rep. Jo Ann Emerson today became the latest leading Missouri Republican to endorse U.S. Rep. Roy Blunt as the Republican choice for the U.S. Senate.

Emerson, appearing with Blunt at the Common Pleas Courthouse in Cape Girardeau, called Blunt the GOP's best chance to keep a check on the Democratic Congressional majorities and to wield influence through personal relationships built over time. Emerson said she had not called potential primary opponent Sarah Steelman, a former Missouri state treasurer and a constituent of Emerson's.

"There is no doubt in my mind that Roy is in a much better position" to defeat the only announced major Democrat, Secretary of State Robin Carnahan, Emerson said.

Blunt, Missouri secretary of state from 1985 to 1993 and a member of the House since 1997, is running for the seat being given up by Kit Bond. Steelman, who also served in the Missouri Senate, has not formally announced her intentions to run but has formed the committees necessary to raise money for the contest. The primary election will be held in August 2010.

"I think Sarah knows what my intentions were," Emerson said. "Sarah is a good friend."

Blunt has picked up endorsements from 71 of 89 Republican members of the Missouri House, including Rep. Clint Tracy, R-Cape Girardeau; Rep. Ellen Brandom, R-Sikeston, Mo.; Rep. Billy Pat Wright, R-Dexter, Mo.; Rep. Shelley Keeney, R-Marble Hill, Mo.; and House Majority Leader Steve Tilley, R-Perryville. The only area Republican House member who has not endorsed Blunt is Rep. Scott Lipke, R-Jackson, a supporter of Steelman during the 2008 primary for governor.

Blunt said he has the support of every Republican in the Missouri Congressional delegation. Bond joined Blunt for the visit to Cape Girardeau. Bond said he endorsed Blunt because he thinks Blunt will bring experience and "Missouri ideas" to the job.

"He has been a very effective leader in stopping the San Francisco views of Nancy Pelosi," Bond said.

With Democrats holding 59 Senate seats, the 2010 elections could determine whether the minority party is able to sustain a filibuster to block initiatives in the upper chamber. That makes the Missouri contest a major battle between the parties.

During the endorsement event, each politician focused attention on issues they said separate the parties. All three said they oppose a cap-and-trade system that would add costs to polluting industries and alluded to health care overhaul efforts as a likely partisan battleground.

"I am going to do everything I can to make sure we keep a check and balance in Washington," Blunt said.

rkeller@semissourian.com

388-3642

Pertinent address:

Common Pleas Courthouse, Cape Girardeau, Mo.