This article first appeared in the St. Louis Beacon, Oct. 3, 2011 - The race to become Missouri's lieutenant governor continues to expand, with the chairwoman of the Missouri Democratic Party jumping into the potentially competitive contest.
Susan Montee, a former state auditor who is currently chairwoman of the Missouri Democratic Party, established a campaign finance committee Monday to run for the position next year.
Lt. Gov. Peter Kinder, a Republican, is not running for re-election, setting up a potentially competitive jaunt for the open seat. An attorney and a certified public account, Montee was Buchanan County auditor when she won the state auditor's race in 2006. She was unsuccessful in her bid for re-election last year, losing to Republican Tom Schweich.
Montee is the second Democratic candidate to jump into the race. Becky Plattner, a member of the state's Conservation Commission and a former Saline County presiding commissioner, entered the race earlier this year. Plattner unsuccessfully ran for the office in 2008.
Speculation has been rampant about other candidates running as Democrats for the lieutenant governorship. The Arch City Chronicle late last month mentioned Department of Agriculture director Jon Hagler as a potential candidate, while former state Sen. Wes Shoemyer, D-Clarence, told the Beacon earlier this year he was considering making a bid.
House Speaker Steve Tilley, R-Perryville, is the only announced Republican candidate for lieutenant governor. Former state Rep. Cynthia Davis, R-O'Fallon, announced this weekend she would run for the office on the Constitution Party ticket.
Jason Rosenbaum, a freelance journalist, covers state government and politics.
