Potential Republican candidates for governor

LIKELY RUNNING

LT. GOV. PETER KINDER: The most aggressive so far in expressing interest in a run for governor. Kinder had planned on running for re-election in 2008 and is facing a competitive challenge from Democratic state Rep. Sam Page of Creve Coeur. Kinder was elected lieutenant governor in 2004 after serving two terms in the Senate from Cape Girardeau, including as the chamber's president pro tem.

MAYBE

U.S. REP. JO ANN EMERSON: The six-term Republican congresswoman from Cape Girardeau thought seriously about running for governor in 2004. She is now "looking closely at this being an opportunity where she can continue her service to the state of Missouri," said Lloyd Smith, her chief of staff. Emerson is a moderate on issues like trade and health care and is known for reaching across party lines. One drawback is a lack of statewide name recognition, but Smith is one of Missouri's savviest campaign strategists.

U.S. REP. KENNY HULSHOF: A former prosecutor from Columbia, Hulshof wanted to run for governor in 2004, but was discouraged by party power brokers who favored Matt Blunt. He is now expected to show great interest in seeking the post, though spokesman Scott Baker has declined all comment except to say that Hulshof was surprised by Blunt's decision. Hulshof was a leading candidate last year to become president of the University of Missouri, a post he then called "one of the very few jobs for which I would consider leaving Congress." Like Emerson, he likely lacks statewide name recognition.

JIM TALENT: The former U.S. senator is a veteran of running for statewide office. He lost the 2000 governor's race to Democrat Bob Holden by less than 1 percent, was elected to the Senate in 2002, but narrowly lost his bid for re-election in 2006 to Claire McCaskill. Since leaving the Senate, Talent has worked as a senior adviser to Mitt Romney's presidential campaign, co-chairman of Fleishman-Hillard Government Relations and a fellow at the Heritage Foundation. Talent, who did not respond to a request for comment, would have to decide whether he and his family are ready for another grueling campaign. He also may be in line for a cabinet post in a Romney administration.

HOUSE SPEAKER ROD JETTON: The term-limited House speaker is among the most powerful Republicans in Jefferson City. Jetton, of Marble Hill, Mo., has been working as a campaign consultant, and had planned to make that his full-time job after leaving the legislature next year. Jetton said he had ruled out a run for governor but Blunt's announcement "changes everything." He said he would talk to family members and fellow House Republicans before making a decision.

JACK JACKSON: The former state House member ran unsuccessfully for state auditor in 2006. He hinted that he might challenge Blunt in a primary this year, but after an October meeting in the Governor's Mansion, he changed his mind. Now that Blunt has bowed out, Jackson is reconsidering the race. He said he's "not closing any doors."

TREASURER SARAH STEELMAN: She has served one term as state treasurer and was a state senator from Rolla for six years. Steelman had announced her plan to run for re-election just hours before Blunt announced his decision not to run. A day later, she released a statement that said she was considering a run for governor instead. Her husband, David Steelman, ran unsuccessfully for attorney general against Democrat Jay Nixon -- who is now running for governor.

U.S. ATTORNEY CATHERINE HANAWAY: The attorney for eastern Missouri led a Republican takeover of the House and became the first woman to be House speaker, serving in that role from 2003 to 2005. Last fall, she decided against a run for attorney general, citing commitment to her current job. In her last campaign -- in 2004 for secretary of state -- she was one of two Republican statewide candidates to lose. Hanaway said she is now pondering a run for governor.

-- The Associated Press