By DOUG WILSON

Herald-Whig Senior Writer

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — Two candidates waited until the final day of filing to join the hunt for Congress in Northeast Missouri.

Blaine Luetkemeyer, the state's former tourism director, became the fifth Republican running in the 9th District. Ken Jacob, a former state senator, became the fourth Democrat in the race.

Luetkemeyer discussed his strategy last week during a campaign stop in Hannibal. He said in campaigns where there are several candidates "you either want to be first or you want to be last" on the ballot. There was no way to assure top billing because those in line on Feb. 26, the first day of filing, had to draw numbers that determined their order on the ballot. That left him with the option of filing on the final day to lock in the last ballot slot.

The crowded field of candidates is seeking the seat that U.S. Rep. Kenny Hulshof, R-Columbia, will give up next January. Hulshof is running for governor instead of seeking re-election to a seventh term.

Other candidates running for congress are Republicans Dr. Bob Onder of Lake St. Louis, political newcomer Dan Bishir of St. Peters, state Rep. Danielle Moore of Fulton and former University of Missouri running back Brock Olivo of Hermann.

Democrats in the race are former Speaker of the House Steve Gaw of Holts Summit, state Rep. Judy Baker of Columbia and Marion County Presiding Commissioner Lyndon Bode of Palmyra. Libertarian candidate Tamara Millay of St. Louis also is seeking the 9th District seat.

Nine candidates are seeking to become the state's next governor. The stampede of political hopefuls began after Gov. Matt Blunt announced in January that he would not seek re-election.

Attorney General Jay Nixon picked up two relatively unknown challengers — Christina Anderson of Springfield and Daniel Carroll of Shelbina — for the Democratic nomination.

Hulshof and state Treasurer Sarah Steelman are seeking the Republican nomination, along with Richard Allen Kline of Gipsy, Scott Long of Mountain View and Jennie Lee Sievers of Jackson.

The Libertarian nomination is being sought by Andrew Finkenstadt of St. Charles.

A few incumbent legislators in Northeast Missouri will face challenges.

Rep. Brian Munzlinger, R-Williamstown, is uncontested in his 1st District primary. Keri Cottrell, a Democrat from Canton, is uncontested in her primary and the two will apparently face off in the November General Election.

Rep. Tom Shively, D-Shelbyville, does not have competition in the 8th District primary, but will face Republican Mike Austin of Ethel in November.

Area incumbents who do not have challengers are Rep. Rachel Bringer, D-Palmyra, and Rep. Paul Quinn, D-Monroe City.

— dwilson@whig.com/221-3372