Even though the election will not be held until 2008, candidates are already lining up to run for Missouri’s 5th Senatorial District seat currently occupied by State Senator Maida Coleman. The only announced candidate is State Representative Robin Jones, a close ally of Coleman and the leader of the Democratic Caucus in the Missouri House of Representatives. The EYE heard recently that State Representative Tom Villa (signalling the black Democrats/ white Democrats divide) might also be considering a run for that seat in 2008. Given that State Representatives Rodney Hubbard and Connie Johnson might also run, the chance that blacks could lose the 5th Senatorial District should become a stark reality for those who are thinking about running. Some folks might consider taking one for the team.