Wallingford hangs up pursuit of 8th District nomination

One of 12 hopefuls for the Republican committee's nomination to run for Congress in Missouri's 8th district announced Wednesday he is leaving the race.

State Sen. Wayne Wallingford, R-Cape Girardeau, said in a statement he has chosen not to seek the nomination because he feels "that my most important duty is to continue to serve our region in the state Senate. After careful thought and deliberation, I am truly honored to have been elected to serve in this capacity, and during my service in the Senate I hope to lead on conservative issues like tax reform, tort reform to protect our physicians and small businesses from frivolous lawsuits, and regulatory reform to help get government out of the way of job growth.

"I do want to reemphasize that I feel our nation is at a crossroads. We need a strong, proven conservative to serve as our next representative in Congress who will be willing and able to stand up to the political elites in Washington, D.C.," he said.

Wallingford's term in the Missouri Senate began in January after he was elected over Ellen Brandom, R-Sikeston, Mo., in the August 2012 primary. He also has served as Cape Girardeau's representative in the Missouri House.

Republicans plan to select a candidate during a nomination meeting Feb. 9 in Van Buren, Mo.

Pertinent address:

Cape Girardeau, MO