Missouri Senator Republican Roy Blunt announced on Monday that he would NOT run for re-election in 2022. The decision has those interested in the job stepping-up. K R P S’s Fred Fletcher-Fierro has more.

Southwest Missouri 7th District Congressman Republican Billy Long spared no-time on Monday throwing his hat into the ring of Missouri conservatives saying they are interested in running for the US Senate seat that Roy Blunt has held for the past decade. Representative Long, speaking with K O L R in Springfield via Skype on Monday afternoon, says that he is seriously considering a run for the seat that opens up in 2022. According to Long, they were rumblings that Blunt would not seek re-election. “I wasn’t’ shocked. You know, I was surprised, but when I boarded the plane today in Chicago to come to DC, he was running for Senate in 2022. But when I landed, my phone was blowing up, and he wasn’t.” The 71-year old Blunt has lead a life of public service, first being appointed county clerk and chief election official of Greene County in 1973. The election to fill his seat will be held on Tuesday, November 8th, 2022.