ST. LOUIS, Mo. – Republican Senator Roy Blunt has announced that he will not be seeking another term in office. During an afternoon press conference, Sen. Blunt says he does not know what he will do when his term ends in two years.
“I felt good about getting elected, but what I felt less good about was whether I wanted to go from 26 years in Congress to 32 years in Congress and maybe eliminate the other things I’d get to do when I leave Congress,” said Sen. Blunt.
Sen. Blunt has been in Congress since 1997 and was elected senator in 2011. He previously served as a member of the United States House of Representatives and as Missouri Secretary of State.
“It’s a good decision for Congress, it’s a good decision for me, I think it is a good decision for what happens to the future representation of our state and the senate,” said Sen. Blunt.
Sen. Blunt also said we have a great congressional delegation in Missouri, including Rep. Billy Long, and there are plenty of potential senate candidates out there that can consider running.
The Post-Dispatch reported that former Missouri Governor Eric Greitens expressed interest in running for Blunt’s Senate seat. He recently blasted the incumbent for failing to adequately support former President Donald Trump.
Greitens resigned as governor in 2018 amid allegations of sexual misconduct and an investigation into his former charity, “The Mission Continues.”
Former Missouri State Representative and State Senator Scott Sifton declared his candidacy for the 2022 US Senate race in February. The Democrat served one term in the Missouri House and two terms in the Senate representing St. Louis County. He is looking to unseat two-term incumbent Roy Blunt.
Blunt did not vote to impeach former President Donlad Trump for inciting for an insurrection at the U.S. Capitol. Blunt did however urge confidence in the country’s voting system and said the former president should “be careful” in his final days in office.
Blunt spoke out after the January 6th riot at the US Capitol. Many Americans started looking to federal lawmakers and asking how they plan to soothe the country’s deep political divisions. Blunt told KOLR 10 news that “This totally outrageous decision that [the rioters] made. It was shameful for the country.”
Blunt was very visible during President Biden’s inauguration ceremony. He appeared to earn bipartisan praise for his comments at the ceremony and events which followed.
“This is not a moment of division, it’s a moment of unification” Republican Senator Roy Blunt calls for unity, adding “a new administration begins and brings with it a new beginning”
Blunt is the No. 4 in Senate Republican leadership and is the fifth Senate Republican to decide against running for re-election in 2022.
Blunt serves as the Chairman of the Senate Republican Policy Committee and as the Ranking Member of the Senate Rules Committee. He also serves on the Senate Appropriations Committee; the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee; and the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence.
Blunt was previously elected to the U.S. House of Representatives seven times where he served as Majority Whip and was previously the Missouri Secretary of State.
“In every job Missourians have allowed me to have, I’ve tried to do my best,” Blunt said.“In almost 12,000 votes in the Congress, I’m sure I wasn’t right every time, but you really make that decision based on the information you have at the time.”Proposed Missouri bill to protect drivers if they hit protestors
The other Missouri senator is Republican Sen. Josh Hawley.
This is a transcript of a video he released about the announcement:
“My mom and dad used to milk cows in this dairy barn. It’s a long way from here to the United States Capitol, but the things I learned here continue to shape how I work for our country and for our state.
“One of the main lessons was to always finish the work that could get done that day. You also understood that you had to use the tools and resources you had, not the ones that you wished you had.
“That practical sense of getting the job done, combined with great staff and good legislative partners from both sides, has advanced health research on cancer and Alzheimer’s — and on diseases you may only know about if someone in your family has it.
“It’s made mental health more likely to be treated like all other health.
“It’s strengthened how we gather intelligence on our adversaries and focused on national defense as the number one priority of the federal government.
“That focus on getting the job done has also helped me understand what it takes to help create an environment of opportunity.
“I’ve worked for things that can produce a better prepared workforce. And where we live — when you combine that with transportation systems that work, utility bills families can pay, and no more government regulations than we have to have — good, family-supporting jobs follow.
“In every job Missourians have allowed me to have, I’ve tried to do my best. In almost 12,000 votes in the Congress, I’m sure I wasn’t right every time, but you really make that decision based on the information you have at the time.
“After 14 General Election victories — three to county office, seven to the United States House of Representatives, and four statewide elections — I won’t be a candidate for reelection to the United States Senate next year.
“I want to thank my family and thank the great team that came together to help me work for you.
“Most importantly, thanks to Missourians, whether you voted for me or not, for the opportunity to work for you and a better future for our state and our country.
“There is still a lot to do, and I look forward to every day this year and next year as I continue to work for you in the Senate.
“Another lesson I learned here: FINISH STRONG, and I intend to.
“Thanks for giving me the chance to work for you.”
