On Monday, March 8, 2021, United States Senator Blunt from Missouri announced his retirement. After several election victories from the state level up, he is stepping down from his position in 2022.
Political history
Senator Blunt worked in a county office, as a U.S. Representative, and a U.S. Senator. When it came down to the 2020 general primaries, Senator Blunt did not align with Senator Hawley in opposing the electoral college votes that had illegality in them. The same votes that states were requesting additional time to count legal votes in. He was one of only two Missouri Republicans to oppose the electoral college votes. One can read about it in a previous article here. Blunt has a history of working closely with Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell [1]. However, weeks later, Blunt did vote to acquit Trump, saying that
the former President could not be convicted after leaving office [2].
Who Will Take His Place?
Several notable Republicans have filed the paperwork to run for state senator. So far, they are U.S. Representative Ann Wagner, Representative Jason Smith, Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt, Missouri Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft, Lt. Governor Mike Kehoe, and former governor Eric Greitens.
Notwithstanding, three Democrats are seeking his office [3]. They are former state senator Scott Sifton, Marine veteran Lucas Kunce, and activist Tim Shephard.
To make a definitive decision, former Senator McCaskill and Jason Kander announced that neither will run for that office.
As there is still time to file for election, this could be an exciting run that voters need to take with care.
Notes:
- ^https://www.cnn.com/2021/03/08/politics/blunt-not-running-reelection/index.html (go back ↩)
- ^https://www.kansascity.com/news/politics-government/article249775748.html (go back ↩)
- ^https://www.cnn.com/2021/03/08/politics/blunt-not-running-reelection/index.h (go back ↩)
