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U.S. Senator Claire McCaskill Won't Run For Missouri Governor In 2016

U.S. Senator Claire McCaskill has represented Missouri since 2007.
U.S. Senate
U.S. Senator Claire McCaskill has represented Missouri since 2007.
U.S. Senator Claire McCaskill has represented Missouri since 2007.
Credit U.S. Senate
U.S. Senator Claire McCaskill has represented Missouri since 2007.

Putting an end to the speculation, U.S. Senator ClaireMcCaskillsays she won't run for governor in 2016.

The Missouri Democrat told KCUR's Steve Kraske she made the decision over the holidays with her family.

"At the end of the day, you have to ask yourself if the job you're thinking about going for is better than the one you have, and can you do more?" McCaskill says.

McCaskill, who has served in the U.S. Senate since 2007, says she's achieved "significant seniority" in Washington, D.C. She says continuing her work there was more important than "checking the box" of possibly becoming Missouri's first female governor.

She says her decision wasn't driven by poll numbers, as she's actually polling pretty well right now among Missouri statewide office holders.

McCaskill, who lost a bid for governor in 2004 against Republican Matt Blunt, did not rule out a possible run after 2016.

Copyright 2021 KCUR 89.3. To see more, visit KCUR 89.3.

Elle covers education for KCUR. The best part of her job is talking to students. Before coming to KCUR in 2014, Elle covered Indiana education policy for NPR’s StateImpact project. Her work covering Indiana’s exit from the Common Core was nationally recognized with an Edward R. Murrow award. Her work at KCUR has been recognized by the Missouri Broadcasters Association and the Kansas City Press Club. She is a graduate of the University Of Missouri School Of Journalism. Elle regularly tweets photos of her dog, Kingsley. There is a wounded Dr. Ian Malcolm bobblehead on her desk.
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