Missouri Republican Rep. Blaine Luetkemeyer will not run for the Senate.
“He’s ruled it out,” spokesman Paul Sloca told Roll Call on Friday.
Luetkemeyer, who currently represents the state’s 9th district, was considered a potential contender to run against Sen. Claire McCaskill (D), whom Republicans consider one of their top targets of the cycle.
Luetkemeyer, currently in his second term, in 2012 will run for the seat in Missouri’s new 3rd district, which includes much of his current district.
“He’s happy where he’s at right now, and he’s reaching out to the people of the 3rd district and looking forward to serving another two years,” Sloca said.
The only declared GOP candidate running against McCaskill is former Missouri Treasurer Sarah Steelman, but Luetkemeyer’s colleague, Rep. Todd Akin (R), is widely expected to soon enter the race.
The Republican-controlled Missouri Legislature approved new Congressional district lines last week, over the veto of Democratic Gov. Jay Nixon. Missouri lost one seat based on 2010 census numbers and will have eight Members representing the state in Washington in January, 2013.
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