Billy Long running for Senate

U.S. Rep. Billy Long, a Republican representing southwest Missouri, is taking aim at the state's federal Senate seat slated to open next year.

Long announced he would seek the U.S. Senate seat currently held by Roy Blunt in an interview on Fox News with Tucker Carlson Tuesday night.

“We need to get the Senate back. You aren’t going to do anything until you get the Senate back, and I’m the guy who can win that Senate seat in Missouri," Long said in the interview, noting Democrats are "working at warp speed" to undo work he and former President Donald Trump conducted over the past four years.

A former auctioneer, Long has held Missouri's 7th Congressional seat in the U.S. House of Representatives since 2010. In the release, he cited his work "to punish China for stealing Americans’ intellectual property rights," to promote energy independence and to boost educational opportunities.

For the Senate race, Long hired former Trump adviser Kellyanne Conway as his senior adviser and pollster. He also brought on Jamestown Associates' Larry Weitzner to head up media for his campaign.

For the six months ended June 30, Long reported $348,961 in total receipts to the Federal Election Commission.

Blunt announced in the spring he would not run for reelection in 2022. U.S. Rep. Vicky Hartzler, R-Missouri, Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt, former Missouri Gov. Eric Greitens and St. Louis attorney Mark McCloskey are among candidates who have announced plans to run for the Senate seat.

Lesser-known Democratic contenders include Marine veteran Lance Kunce, former state Sen. Scott Sifton, St. Louis County startup owner Spencer Toder, Kansas City activist Tim Shepard and Air Force veteran Jewel Kelly, according to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.