The colleagues who revolted against Bowman say he was angling to be the only state legislator with a gold star on his hat (and cash in his hand) coming out of the general election – which is to say, going into the 2008 primary … when who knows what will happen?
Here’s one guess: The term-limited Coleman favors Wright-Jones for her state Senate seat, and Days staying with the Bowman caucus faction represents her favoring him for her state Senate seat, should she file for higher office in 2008 (or when she is term-limited in 2010).
Various other city and county legislators are expected to file for those seats in the state Senate as well. Hubbard has said he plans to run in the 5th Senatorial District. Johnson will be term-limited in the state House and is also in that district. Various other experienced African-American politicians are known to be eyeing the 16th senatorial seat Days could be vacating.
Suffice it to say, if the split that emerged last week deepens, we probably are seeing the beginnings of at least two state Senate campaigns – and possibly one U.S. House campaign. These will be very interesting times to be a Democrat, and especially a black Democrat, in the state of Missouri.