House Speaker Rod Jetton says he won't run for auditor

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- House Speaker Rod Jetton said Tuesday he would not run for state auditor in 2006, opting instead to seek another House term.

Jetton, R-Marble Hill, took over as speaker in January and said he would rather finish his time there than seek a statewide office.

"I kind of came to really impact policy, and I think I can do that better from the speaker's office than the auditor's office," he said.

Jetton said many people in the party approached him about the contest, and said he would consider a statewide race someday.

"Right now this is just not the time. Right now in my life this is the place I need to be, in the speaker's office," Jetton said

Jetton, 38, was first elected in 2000.

Auditor Claire McCaskill, a Democrat, has decided to challenge Republican U.S. Sen. Jim Talent rather than seek re-election next year.

Already running for state auditor as Republicans are state Sen. John Loudon and Rep. Jack Jackson, both from suburban St. Louis.

Buchanan County Auditor Susan Montee is the only announced Democratic candidate for state auditor, though others are considering it. Democratic state Sen. Maida Coleman, of St. Louis, has said she is "very strongly" considering the auditor's race. Former Democratic Rep. Jason Klumb, now an assistant attorney general, also has been considering the race but said after Montee's announcement that her personal financial commitment diminished his chances.