MO-2: Wagner Stirred Action

​Rep. Ann Wagner’s (R-St. Louis County) presumed run for the Senate attracted several Democrats to considering entering what they thought would become an open seat US House race.  Now that Rep. Wagner has decided not to run statewide and will instead seek a fourth term to her current position, at least two of the prospective candidates are moving ahead with their political plans even as long shot challengers.  Both law school professor Cort Van Ostran and attorney Kelli Dunaway announced their candidacies this week.  Unless others join the primary fray, one of them will advance to challenge Rep. Wagner.  The seat is safely Republican (Trump: 53-42%; Romney: 57-41%), meaning the eventual Democratic nominee has a very uphill climb.  Rep. Wagner begins this race as a heavy favorite for re-election.