Hagan Tries Again in the #135th

Lost in our flurry of reporting over Sen. Chris Koster's glad-handing in Springfield was Nancy Hagan's official announcement that she will run against #135th district Rep. Charlie Denison again in 2008.

The longtime educator made her announcement to union workers at the Labor Day picnic. Later, we asked Rep. Sara Lampe (#138th) if Hagan really had a shot against Denison.

"I think she absolutely does because the quality of the quality of job Charlie Denison has done," Lampe said. When you look at his votes, people in his district ought to be screaming for a new candidate. I believe Nancy is that candidate."

In 2006, Dension beat Hagan 56%-44%, a solid 12-point victory for an embattled Republican. So does Hagan really have a better shot the second-time around? My bet is that Denison gets another primary challenge from the right. But a nasty primary didn't seem to divide the G.O.P. in 2006.

"It is a tough district in terms of numbers, you bet it is, but all the Republicans have to do who live in that district, is look at his voting record and they'll see they don't have a guy up there that works for them," Lampe added.

Funny, because conservatives have grumbled the same thing about Denison. That couldn't have been Lampe's point, could it?

Lampe said she just wants more Dems to sit next to in Jefferson City. "I need more folks on y side of the aisle, to be able to win some votes," she said. "Playing defense is a good game strategy, but you can't win a game on defense."

In Springfield's 135th, the game already seems to be on.

(Hagan is in the center pictured above, between Rep. Charlie Norr, and Lampe.)