Martin Rucker

State Rep. Martin Rucker divulged intentions to run for the Missouri Senate Wednesday on the heels of another St. Joseph Democrat’s decision to bypass a bid for the 2010 election.

Mr. Rucker long has eyed the 34th Senatorial District seat, which a term-limited Sen. Charlie Shields, R-St. Joseph, now occupies.

But another term-limited colleague, state Rep. Ed Wildberger, D-St. Joseph, also was considering a run, and the two had agreed they wouldn’t face each other in a primary.

“I wanted to run, but I was not going to run against my friend,” Mr. Rucker said.

Mr. Wildberger, however, said he backed out of the race this week to instead pursue an elected position closer to home, citing family reasons. He told the News-Press he likely will run for a Buchanan County post. The recorder of deeds will open up in 2010, and Buchanan County Clerk Pat Conway has expressed interest in possibly running for Mr. Wildberger’s Statehouse seat, which could leave two higher-paid options for the outgoing representative.

Mr. Wildberger also expressed travel and age concerns. If he had been successful and captured the seat for two four-year terms, he would’ve left the Senate at age 69.

“But if I didn’t run to become a senator, who would?” Mr. Wildberger said of his decision. “I wanted someone to have the same values and principles I have and who can win it. And I believe Martin Rucker, well, we’ve worked together long enough to know that we share the same principles, and I believe he can win.”

With the agreement struck, Mr. Rucker is free to pursue the seat.

“Now that he has said he’s not going to run, I positively intend to run,” Mr. Rucker said.

Rep. Jason Grill, a Platte County Democrat, also has expressed interest, but he hasn’t announced intentions. His active campaign committee for his House seat had nearly $55,000 in cash on hand, according to Wednesday’s financial disclosure report with the Missouri Ethics Commission.

The 34th Senatorial District covers Platte and Buchanan counties, and for the last seven years has been held by a Republican.

“It was a Democratic post for years before Senator Shields. It’s time for a shifting of the paradigm,” Mr. Rucker said. “I just think if people don’t allow the money to be the issue and vote for who can be the best senator, I think I can win it.”

Mr. Rucker, whose campaign committee remains for his House seat, has raised $22,212, none of which he received in the most recent reporting period, according to the July 15 report he submitted to the ethics commission.

Republicans vying in the 34th District race have proved much more financially active.

State Rep. Dr. Rob Schaaf, a St. Joseph Republican, had $31,517 in available cash for his Senate campaign committee, $24,355 of which he has raised since April 14. Many of his most recent contributions came from individual physicians, dentists, other health care providers and retired teachers. Dr. Schaaf is a vocal advocate of hospital competition issues.

The Senate campaign committee for state Rep. Jason Brown, a Platte City Republican, showed $20,593 in cash on hand. He has raised $17,175 since April 14, largely from St. Joseph-area donors. Those included a $1,000 donation from Mr. Shields’ own campaign committee, plus donations from Michael Meierhoffer, Hausman Metal Works and Roofing, News-Press publisher David Bradley, and Stanley and Randy Herzog. He also received donations from multiple Heartland Health employees, including Chief Executive Officer Lowell Kruse.

The hospital industry heavily supported Dr. Schaaf’s opponent in his successful 2008 House race, Democrat Mark Sheehan of St. Joseph.

Alyson E. Raletz can be reached

at alysonraletz@npgco.com.