MO-SEN: Steelman vs. Blunt?

Missouri has an odd habit of chewing up and spitting out gubernatorial candidates who then go on to become U.S. Senators. This pattern has repeated itself with Jim Talent (lost GOV in '00, won SEN in '02) and Claire McCaskill (lost GOV in '04, won SEN in '06). We could see a repeat of this pattern with State Treasurer Sarah Steelman, who lost the Gubernatorial primary to Kenny Hulshof in '08, and could well run for Senate in '10. 

Folks around here were pretty supportive of Steelman in the primary last year, and for reasons that will sound familiar: she took on the good ol' boy network in the state with a promise to zero out pork. Not one member of Missouri's Republican Congressional delegation supported Steelman in the primary, yet she came within 4 points of beating the heavily favored Hulshof. 

It was probably for the best. The toxic political environment, particularly with outgoing Gov. Blunt's low approval ratings, probably rendered any Republican nominee DOA. However, the 2010 Senate picture is looking bright with several top recruits in marquee races and Missouri is a state McCain won. 

To face likely Democratic nominee Robin Carnahan in the fall, Steelman will need to overcome a familiar face: Roy Blunt, House Republican whip from 2003 to 2007 and Matt Blunt's father. Blunt announced his campaign this week and Steelman didn't waste a minute reminding people of her interest in the seat. 

Buckle your seatbelts for what's likely to be one of the blockbuster races of the '10 cycle, not just in the general, but in the primary as well.