- The Washington Times - Monday, July 3, 2017

A top Republican recruit to challenge Sen. Claire McCaskill has decided not to run.

Rep. Ann Wagner of Missouri said in a statement to the Washington Examiner that she instead will seek another term for her House seat next year.

“Those who know me well know I put my family and my community first. While I am grateful for the incredible support and encouragement I have received from across Missouri to run for United States Senate, I am announcing today my intention to run for re-election to the United States House of Representatives in 2018,” Ms. Wagner said in her statement.

The decision reportedly had little to do with politics or Ms. Wagner’s relationship with the Trump administration, which has been a good one. Her House seat is considered safe.

The Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, however, immediately took Ms. Wagner’s decision as a foreshadow of what’s to come for Republicans across the country.

“It’s no surprise potential Republican Senate candidates are refusing to run under their party’s toxic health care plan that spikes costs and strips coverage for hardworking families in order to give big insurance companies another tax break — the GOP bran is in tatters and their candidate have nothing to run on except a strong of broken promises,” the DSCC’s statement read in part.

The news leaves Republicans scrambling for a strong challenger to unseat Ms. McCaskill, who is viewed as one of the most vulnerable Democrats heading into the midterm elections.

• Sally Persons can be reached at spersons@washingtontimes.com.

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