Missouri House member plans to run for lieutenant governor

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- A Democratic House member from southwestern Missouri plans to run for lieutenant governor.

Sara Lampe, of Springfield, announced Sunday that she intends to enter the lieutenant governor campaign while citing her experience serving on the House Budget Committee, running a small business and working in public education. She has served in the Missouri House since 2005. Lampe plans to announce her candidacy officially Monday morning in Springfield.

Three other Democrats already have entered the race -- former state Auditor Susan Montee (mon-TEE'), former state lawmaker and U.S. Department of Health and Human Services regional director Judy Baker and conservation commissioner Becky Plattner.

The Republican candidates are Lt. Gov. Peter Kinder, state Sen. Brad Lager and attorney Mike Carter. Republican state Sen. Luann Ridgeway has said she is likely to run.