JEFFERSON CITY — Those seeking federal office in Missouri flooded the state capitol this morning to file their candidacies, officially kicking off a midterm election year filled with big names and headlined by an open seat in the US Senate and two crowded congressional races.

Republicans are running to replace US Senator Roy Blunt

The race to succeed U.S. Senator Roy Blunt has intensified over the past week as a field packed with prominent Republicans aim to edge out the pack.

US Representative Vicky Hartzler has asked to run with momentum behind her campaign, after receiving an endorsement from US Senator Josh Hawley of Missouri last weekend. She told reporters Tuesday that she was “the person who best reflects Missouri” in the race, focusing on her criticisms of China, transgender athletes and President Joe Biden.

Missouri Senate race:Long shots against Hawley and Hartzler get mentions

Former governor Eric Greitens said on Tuesday he was “absolutely” a changed person since 2018, when he resigned as governor amid allegations of blackmail and assault on his hairdresser, as well as an investigation of the Missouri House on its use of campaign funds.

Greitens maintains that he was “completely exonerated” from the saga and continued to put voter fraud plots and the idea of ​​”taking the country back” from the Democrats at the forefront of his campaign.

If the former governor wins the Republican nomination, Hartzler said he would not have his support.

“I will not vote for him,” she said. “It’s not conservative to tie up a woman in your basement and assault her and bring shame and disgrace to our state. And he did. Missouri deserves better.”

Springfield U.S. Rep. Billy Long, who lashed out at Hawley and Hartzler last week after endorsing his chief rival, continued to lash out at her and her other opponents on Tuesday. He, like the rest of the GOP field, has long been in the line for an endorsement from Donald Trump, who has yet to weigh in on the race.

Asked by the News-Leader about his recent communications with Trump, Long said the former president called him back in December with House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy and Republican National Committee Chair Ronna McDaniel online. Trump has said he would approve of Long if he steps down to run for re-election in his Missouri House southwest seat, he said – but the auctioneer has no plans to do it.

“I have no intention of running for the House,” Long said.

Long plans to speak with Trump again by phone on Tuesday after saying the former president left him a voicemail Monday night. Hartzler said she also received a call from Trump on Monday.

Attorney General Eric Schmitt, recently backed by U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas, called himself a ‘tough fighter’ and headlined his lawsuits as an AG involving China, the Biden administration and districts school. He called his opponents’ criticism of his record involving China a “total misrepresentation”. Long on Tuesday, he called it ‘Shanghai Schmitt’ because of the former state senator’s support for a 2011 bill that would have created a tax credit program for St. Louis to become a city. freight between the United States and China.

St. Louis attorney Mark McCloskey and Senate Pro Tem Speaker Dave Schatz are also running for the Republican nomination.

Missouri Senate race:Democrat Kunce leads fundraising among all candidates

Democrats run for Sen. Roy Blunt’s seat

US Navy veteran Lucas Kunce, who led fundraising among all the candidates in the race, appears to be the top Democrat in the race. Calling himself a populist, he has centered his campaign on bringing manufacturing and supply chain jobs back to the United States and banning stock trading for members of Congress.

In an interview on Tuesday, Kunce was optimistic that despite a tough climb in a state that tends to turn increasingly red, his campaign could make progress.

“We’re going to let them through and we’re going to win this thing,” Kunce said.

Former state senator Scott Sifton, entrepreneur Spencer Toder, Air Force veteran Jewel Kelly, college instructor Gena Ross and LGBTQ+ rights activist Tim Shepard are the other Democrats vying for headquarters.

Continued:Springfield school board candidates on what the district is doing well, where it’s failing

With Representatives Vicky Hartzler and Billy Long vying for Senate, GOP candidates for US House line up

Two comfortably Republican seats in Congress are also up for grabs this year with Hartzler and Long jumping to the US Senate. Both races garner crowded GOP primaries, even with new congressional districts still not finalized by the state legislature.

Who’s running in Missouri’s 7th Ward?

Former State Senator Jay Wasson, senses Eric Burlison and Mike Moon, Dr. Sam Alexander, Alex Bryant, Audrey Richards and Paul Walker make up the Republican field in the southwest 7th District. No Democrats announced for the seat.

Race of the 7th arrondissement:Jay Wasson touts big gifts in primary; Eric Burlison sees PAC support

Who’s running in Missouri’s 4th District

State Sen. Rick Brattin, Rep. Sara Walsh, Taylor Burks, Kalena Bruce and Mark Alford are in the running to succeed Hartzler in the 4th District, which currently represents parts of western and central Missouri, but could see changes under a new Congress Card, whenever one is finalized.

What’s going on with the Missouri redistricting?

The Missouri Senate began debate on a map that would retain the state’s partisan alignment of six Republicans and two Democrats, but halted debate after a radical wing of the GOP supermajority opposed it. Those senators want a more aggressive map that sends seven Republicans to Washington, cutting out Kansas City U.S. Rep. Emanuel Cleaver.

Continued:Impatience grows in Jefferson City as Missouri Senate stalls for week on redistricting

Representatives Cori Bush and Jason Smith seek re-election

Incumbent members of Congress from Missouri, including U.S. Representatives Jason Smith in the Southeast and Cori Bush in St. Louis, also made the trip to Jefferson City on Tuesday to seek re-election.

Who is a candidate for the position of Missouri State Auditor?

Republican State Treasurer Scott Fitzpatrick and State Rep. David Gregory are running for state auditor, aiming to swap the seat with Auditor Nicole Galloway, a Democrat , who is not standing for election this year.

Continued:Springfield-area races kick off cash-laden 2022 election year

Galen Bacharier covers Missouri politics and government for The News-Leader. Contact him at [email protected], (573) 219-7440 or on Twitter @galenbacharier.