Loyalty to her congressional district trumped personal ambition for U.S. Rep. Jo Ann Emerson, who on Monday announced she would not enter the Republican race for governor.

During a conference call from Washington with reporters, Emerson cited unfinished business in Congress, not a fear of losing the GOP primary or general election contests, as her main reason for staying out of the race.

Emerson, R-Cape Girardeau, became the latest of about a half-dozen potential Republican candidates to make a decision. The scramble for the Republican nomination began last week with Gov. Matt Blunt's unexpected announcement that he would not seek a second term.

On Monday, The Associated Press reported that 9th District U.S. Rep. Kenny Hulshof was poised to become the third Republican to enter the race.

Lt. Gov. Peter Kinder of Cape Girardeau and state treasurer Sarah Steelman of Rolla are already running for the GOP nomination. House Speaker Rod Jetton, R-Marble Hill, also is considering entering the contest, as are Federal prosecutor Catherine Hanaway and Senate Majority Leader Charlie Shields, R-St. Joseph.

The decision not to run wasn't an evaluation of her chances, Emerson said. "I frankly believe I would make a very good governor, and I could win."

In a prepared statement she read before taking questions, Emerson said that she had received "a great deal of encouragement and counsel" about the gubernatorial race. "I have searched my soul during these last five days at home in Missouri," she said.

"Maybe under different circumstances, I would have made a different decision. I can't close the door to any future opportunity but ending my service to the 8th District in Congress requires a darn good reason and today, for me, the race for governor isn't it."

The decision was not an easy one, Emerson said.

"What makes it difficult to run for governor is the same thing that makes it a great job; it's a tremendous responsibility with even greater opportunities to represent Missourians in all walks of life, from every part of our state," Emerson said.

Emerson is in her sixth full term in the U.S. House. She won election in 1996 to replace her late husband, Bill Emerson, who first won Southeast Missouri's congressional seat in 1980.

Among the unfinished items on the Congressional agenda, Emerson cited the reauthorization of farm support programs as one thing pulling her to remain in her seat. "On the priorities I am passionate about, unfinished work remains," she said.

"I feel a deep responsibility to complete those tasks and to see through the changes for which I have promised to work, especially on the farm bill."

While she said she received numerous calls of encouragement over the past five days, Emerson declined to say who had contacted her.

Emerson declined to endorse any candidate in the upcoming primary, citing close ties to candidates from her district -- Kinder, Jetton and Steelman -- and close friendship with Hulshof, who was born in Bertrand, Mo.

Emerson has been somewhat of a maverick among Republicans in the U.S. House, pushing against party leaders over issues such as drug reimportation from Canada. And during a bitterly partisan fight in April 2007 over an Iraq War funding bill that included a deadline for withdrawal of combat troops, Emerson was one of two members who voted "present."

Those stands, which could have been the basis for questioning her fidelity to her party in a tough primary, did not play into her decision, Emerson said.

"It had nothing to do with a primary," Emerson said.

Challenges facing the next governor, Emerson said, range from poverty and health care to education and the state's economy. Being able to find common ground with Democrats could be a strength in a GOP nominee, she said.

"Our next governor must work with members of both parties to forge consensus and achieve results," she said in her prepared remarks.

rkeller@semissourian.com

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