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DEVELOPING: Russ Carnahan to enter LG race

Sources within the Democratic Party have confirmed that Russ Carnahan, a former longtime member of Congress from St. Louis, will seek the Democratic nomination for lieutenant governor. He is expected to file his campaign committee in St. Louis later today.

Carnahan will run against St. Louis state Rep. Tommie Pierson, physician and lawyer Brad Bradshaw, and musician/activist Winston Apple on the Democratic side of the ticket for the chance to run against either State Sen. Mike Parson, R-Bolivar, and former chair of the Missouri Club for Growth Bev Randles.

Russ_Carnahan
Former Congressman Russ Carnahan

The former congressman would be the first member of his storied family to enter the political sphere since his sister, Robin Carnahan, departed the Missouri Secretary of State’s office Jan. 14, 2013. Their father, Mel Carnahan, served as lt. governor from 1989 to 1993, and as governor from 1993 to 2000, when he died in a plane crash during his campaign for U.S. Senate.

Carnahan, who lost his seat to sitting Congressman Lacy Clay when their districts were consolidated in 2012, has yet to release a statement on the campaign, but John Hancock, chairman of the Missouri Republican Party, expressed his own kind of admiration that Carnahan had entered the race.

“You know the Missouri Democratic primary is desperate when the only person they can find to run for Lt. Governor voted with Barack Obama 99 percent of the time and rubber-stamped Obamacare, cap-and-trade, and the stimulus while he was in Washington,” he said. “The Democrats are clearly doubling down on the failed Obama agenda, and in November, Missourians will reject Russ Carnahan just like they have repeatedly rejected Barack Obama.”

This story will be updated as developments occur.

UPDATE: 12:35 p.m.: Carnahan has officially filed his committee with the Missouri Ethics Commission.

UPDATE 2: 12:55 p.m.: Bradshaw has released a statement about Carnahan’s entry into the race. “Russ Carnahan entering the Lieutenant Governor’s race is an opportunity for Missouri residents to distinguish between two very different candidates,” he said. “I have a vision for Missouri to make it a world leader in medical research, to find cures for incurable diseases, to create thousands of new jobs and expand Missouri’s economy. Unfortunately, the Lieutenant Governor’s office has been misused as a do nothing ceremonial bench for career politicians wanting to one day run for higher office – exactly what Russ Carnahan intends to do.”