Former Missouri Republican Party Chairwoman Ann Wagner has taken a step toward a run for Congress.
Wagner said Tuesday that she has set up an exploratory committee for a potential campaign in the 2nd Congressional District in suburban St. Louis. Wagner says her move is based on the likelihood that the 2nd District will be an open seat. The incumbent, Republican U.S. Rep. Todd Akin, has been considering a challenge to Democratic U.S. Sen. Claire McCaskill.
Gov. Jay Nixon has appointed the members of two bipartisan commissions that will redraw Missouri's legislative districts based on the 2010 census.
The Missouri Constitution requires the governor to appoint a panel of five Republicans and five Democrats to redraw state Senate districts, and a panel of nine Democrats and nine Republicans to redraw the House districts.