Martin Bakes While Wagner Gets Birthday Pitch

At least one of the candidates for the 2nd Congressional House seat got up really early to showcase an element of his campaign.

Ed Martin, an attorney and former chief of staff for Gov. Matt Blunt, spent a good chunk of his early Tuesday morning toiling at McArthur’s Bakery in South County. The owner of McArthur's, Randy McArthur, is treasurer for Martin's campaign.

The event, Martin said, was aimed at checking the pulse of local businesses.

"When you work with someone, you hear what is really happening and that's what happened yesterday at McArthur's," Martin said in a statement. "Workers are feeling more strain and worry, and business owners are feeling pinched by high fuel prices, too many regulations, and soaring health care costs. McArthur's Bakery and businesses like it are the backbone of America, and they are under assault by Obama and his policies. We need elected officials who will not go along but will fight back."

Meanwhile, the campaign of Martin’s Republican rival, Ann Wagner, sent out a fundraising pitch to correspond with the former Missouri Republican Party chairwoman’s birthday. Ann Wagner’s husband, Ray Wagner, sent out an email asking for people to “make a contribution online of $49 in honor of her birthday.”

“For this campaign to be successful, it will require a strong, effective grassroots organization,” Ray Wagner said in the email. “We will need to be able to spread our message with brochures, yard signs, bumper stickers and even pizza to fuel our hard-working volunteers.”

Even though the race between the two could get testy over time, it should be noted that Martin wished Wagner a happy birthday through Twitter. Wagner, a resident of Ballwin, thanked Martin.

Koster Watch

One interesting note from one of my favorite Missouri political scribes: Arch City Chronicle founder Dave Drebes reported that Bill Corrigan, a Republican attorney who unsuccessfully ran for St. Louis County Executive last year, was asked to run for attorney general. Drebes wrote that Corrigan declined the offer.

It will be worth watching to see if Democratic Attorney General Chris Koster draws a legitimate Republican challenger next year. Koster, who shocked many in 2007 by leaving the Republican Party, is a prolific fundraiser who managed in 2008 to successfully steer through a nasty Democratic primary and a competitive general election contest.

If he wins next year, don’t be surprised if speculation begins on whether Koster runs next to replace Gov. Jay Nixon or decides to take on Sen. Roy Blunt, R-MO., in 2016. The same speculation could revolve around Democratic Treasurer Clint Zweifel if he also wins re-election next year.