GOP Secretary of State Ashcroft not running for Blunt Senate seat
Springfield News-Leader JEFFERSON CITY — The presumptive favorite to succeed retiring U.S. Sen. Roy Blunt next year says he won't be running. In a statement Wednesday, Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft, a Republican, said that after "intense, prayerful consideration" with his wife, he's staying put as the state's top elections official. "Our hearts are in Missouri and we cherish the opportunity to continue raising our family here," he added. "We hope those who pledged support to me will devote their efforts to electing the eventual Republican nominee." Political observers have long seen a bri...