Tuesday's congressional vote a warm-up for 2014

Well, the dust has settled, the votes have been counted and Missouri's 8th Congressional District at long last has a representative in the House to sound the voice of concern or support from our little region of the world.

And like it or not, a campaign will begin today to retain that seat.

Since Tuesday's vote was a special election to fill the seat vacated by Jo Ann Emerson, the wheels will be put in motion immediately for next year's full-term election.

I would bet the field of candidates next year will be crowded on both party ballots.

The committee process that selected the candidates to seek this unexpired term was criticized from the very beginning.

And well it should be.

The committee process was an insider's game, though the outcome from a different process may have brought the same results.

But too many voices have raised concerns over the process and that will open the door to a host of potential candidates next year.

With the stark division in Washington, D.C., it was important that our district has a voice and a vote in the coming year.

But special elections are unique monsters marked by low turnout and limited media attention.

Next year, however, will bring a completely new race to this district on both sides of the political aisle.

And though Tuesday's winner can use terms like "incumbent" to seek "re-election," those terms may well carry little weight in a general or primary election.

Had there been a primary election this year -- instead of the committee process -- it's highly likely that Tuesday's ballot would have looked different.

But that's water under the bridge at this point.

It's uncomfortable to have an election process where the candidate starts a new campaign the day following his election.

But like it or not, that's what we have.

Rest assured, the political wheels are turning in both political parties on potential matchups a year from now.

Given the constricted time frame for an election a year from now and the massive amount of money required to run a legitimate campaign, fundraising for next year will start immediately.

Voters always complain about how money affects the election process, but how do you share your views and press the flesh in such a large area without adequate funds?

This special election was just a warm-up for 2014.

Next year the turnout will be larger, the money raised will be greater and voters will likely have a full roster of names on the ballot.

The fun is just beginning.