This article first appeared in the St. Louis Beacon, July 5, 2011 - A day after he led campaign "minutemen" in the Webster Groves July 4 parade, 2nd District congressional candidate Ed Martin is rolling out the endorsement of conservative icon Phyllis Schlafly as part of an apparent effort to lock up the Republican Party's tea party faction.
Martin, a St. Louis lawyer, issued a statement this morning in which Schlafly says, "Ed Martin is a true conservative who has shown a willingness to fight for truth and conservative principles no matter how hard the fight and no matter what the cost.
"Whether fighting for lower taxes for families and businesses, taking on ACORN and voter fraud at the St. Louis Election Board, or fighting to stop Jay Nixon's pro-illegal immigration appointments, Ed has shown himself a fearless and courageous conservative. I am supporting Ed Martin in the race to succeed Todd Akin because Ed is a conservative who will fight for America's future."
Schlafly, in her late 80s, is the founder of Eagle Forum -- a group that got its start opposing the Equal Rights Amendment -- and has written a number of books that take on such hot-potato issues as the U.S. Supreme Court and immigration (legal as well as illegal).
She also resides in the 2nd District, which will have a new U.S. representative in 2013 because Republican incumbent Todd Akin is running for the U.S. Senate.
In any event, Martin -- a regular at tea party events in 2010 -- appears angling to emulate the conservative fervor that helped him almost knock off U.S. Rep. Russ Carnahan, D-St. Louis, in last year's heated 3rd District battle. Both have been looking at the 2nd because congressional redistricting has shifted the 3rd largely outstate.
Martin's current targets, though, are fellow Republicans. Former state party chairwoman Ann Wagner, most recently the ambassador to Luxembourg, also has announced for the 2nd District seat. And state Sen. Jane Cunningham, R-Chesterfield -- and another tea party favorite -- has said for months that she also plans to run for the post, although she has yet to declare her bid formally.
Meanwhile, Carnahan -- who has yet to say whether he's running in the new 2nd District or some other post, since his congressional seat is being eliminated -- offered another tantalizing hint.
Carnahan also had a large contingent Monday in the Webster parade, which was arguably Monday's most prominent political attraction in the new 2nd District. (Martin and Carnahan were among the political crowd in Webster's 2010 parade, featured last year by the Beacon.)
Martin and Carnahan have another matter to deal with. Both have yet to say if, or when, each will move into the 2nd. Both now reside in St. Louis, which will be wholly within the 1st District as of Jan. 1, 2013.
Wagner plans to highlight her longstanding status as a 2nd District resident (aside from those years overseas) by formally launching her campaign with a Thursday evening rally at her Ballwin home.
Schlafly, presumably, will not be present. But as FiredupMissouri reminds those of us with short memories,Schlafly did endorse Wagner late last December when she made an unsuccessful bid to head up the Republican National Committee.
