Steelman attacks earmarks, angles for Mo. Senate

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- Former State Treasurer Sarah Steelman is attacking federal earmark spending as she gears up for a potential U.S. Senate campaign.

Congressman Roy Blunt is the only Republican so far to declare his candidacy to succeed Sen. Kit Bond in 2010. But Steelman has said she is leaning toward running.

Bond is known for using earmarks to bring federal money to Missouri projects. Blunt also has sponsored earmarks.

But Steelman contends earmark spending has contributed to the nation's troubled economy and wastes money.

Steelman ran a similar anti-earmark campaign against Republican Congressman Kenny Hulshof in last year's Republican gubernatorial primary. She plans to fly to Washington this week for meetings about a Senate race.

The only Democrat in the Senate race is Secretary of State Robin Carnahan.