Lloyd Smith will seek nomination in 8th District

Lloyd Smith, executive director of the Missouri Republican Party and former chief of staff for U.S. Rep. Jo Ann Emerson, announced Friday he will seek to be nominated as a candidate for the 8th Congressional District.

In an email to members of the Republican congressional committee, who will choose a nominee for the seat to run in a special election, Smith said he hopes to talk with committee members about his vision for serving in Congress and wants to answer questions they may have about his background, family, faith, philosophy of government and political experience.

Emerson announced earlier this month she will retire from serving the 8th district in Congress to become president and CEO of the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association, a not-for-profit group that represents the interests of rural electric cooperatives and public power districts.

Smith is from East Prairie, Mo.