Blunt won't seek reelection for Senate

Last edited 11:17 a.m., March 9, 2021

U.S. Sen. Roy Blunt, R-Missouri, this morning announced he will not seek reelection for his seat next year.

First elected to the Senate in 2010, the Republican legislator has won 14 general election victories in his political career, including seven to the U.S. House of Representatives.

“In every job Missourians have allowed me to have, I’ve tried to do my best," he said in a video announcement. "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.

“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."

Blunt did not say in the video why he won't seek reelection in 2022, and an official with his Senate office could not be reached for comment by deadline. A news conference is scheduled this afternoon at the Springfield-Branson National Airport. [Editor's note: Blunt at the news conference said his decision did not represent a retirement. He said it does mean his exit from elected politics.]

Blunt's Senate work, according to the release, has included:
• six years as chairperson of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Service, Education and Related Agencies;
• partnering with Sen. Debbie Stabenow, D-Michigan, to pass the Excellence in Mental Health Act in 2014; and
• assisting in the funding of Missouri infrastructure projects, such as the $21 million Grant Avenue Parkway Project in Springfield.

Blunt and fellow Missouri Sen. Josh Hawley were among Republicans on Saturday who voted against the $1.9 trillion stimulus package backed by President Joe Biden. The COVID-19 relief plan passed 50-49, according to C-SPAN video coverage.

Before coming to Washington, D.C., Blunt worked as Missouri's secretary of state and president of Southwest Baptist University, among other roles. He was born in Niangua and grew up on a dairy farm.

Former Missouri Gov. Eric Greitens earlier this month said he's "evaluating" a run for the U.S. Senate seat currently held by Blunt.