Big news out of Missouri on Thursday as Rep. Blaine Luetkemeyer (R), who represents the state's Third Congressional District, announced that he would not be seeking reelection after completing his eighth term in Congress. 

pic.twitter.com/Kp2TmrR7jw

— Blaine Luetkemeyer (@RepBlaine) January 4, 2024

In the statement he released, Luetkemeyer said: 

“It has been as honor to serve the great people of the Third Congressional District and State of Missouri these past several years. However, after a lot of thoughtful discussion with my family, I have decided to not file for re-election and retire at the end of my term in December. Over the coming months, as I finish up my last term, I look forward to continuing to work with all my constituents on their myriad of issues as well as work on the many difficult and serious problems confronting our great country. There is still a lot to do. 

“As we tackle the many challenges we face, I hope we remember what someone once said, that ‘the greatness of our country is not found in the halls of Congress but in the hearts and homes of our people.’ That assessment is still true today. As we look to the future, I believe that if we work hard, stay together, and believe in ourselves our best days are indeed still ahead."

The 71-year-old Jefferson City native has represented Missouri in Washington, D.C., since 2009. Initially, his was the Ninth Congressional District, but redistricting following the 2010 Census reduced Missouri's congressional delegation to eight and expanded the Third District, which presently covers much of east-central Missouri, including the northwest St. Louis suburbs. (Full disclosure: This is also my congressional district, so of particular interest to me.) Prior to his congressional tenure, the farmer/banker/insurance agent served in the Missouri legislature and also as the state's Tourism Director. 

Luetkemeyer currently chairs the Subcommittee on National Security, Illicit Finance, and International Financial Institutions (House Financial Services Committee) and serves on the House Small Business Committee and the House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party. 

While Luetkemeyer plans to serve out his term, his announcement Thursday came as a bit of a surprise and set off a mad scramble among Missouri pols interested in vying to become his replacement. Missouri is already gearing up for a busy primary season, as there's a three-way race for the governorship and several other statewide offices in play. 

The Third District is perhaps the reddest of Missouri's red districts, so the key contest will be in the primary, and to the victor goes the promise of a lengthy career in Washington. So, the January announcement with an August primary looming will result in a flurry of activity among possible contenders. One of those contenders whose name has already been bandied about is state Senator Nick Schroer, who's part of the Missouri Freedom Caucus and has built a reputation for being a rock-ribbed conservative. 

Related: One More Pro-Life Move: Missouri Signs Into Law an 8-Week Abortion Ban

Another disclosure: Nick's a friend and fellow host at NewsTalkSTL. Since his name was quickly floated as one of the possible candidates to replace Luetkemeyer, I reached out to him and asked for his thoughts on a possible run for Congress. Nick's response: 

Hearing about Congressman Luetkemeyer’s came as a shock to many of us. While I wish him the very best in his retirement and thank him for a storied career representing Missouri, it comes at a time when we must ensure our state has defenders of liberty willing to fight for our rights in Washington DC. Ronald Reagan stated that “freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction.” Unfortunately, we are in that generation that must roll up our sleeves and save this republic or risk losing freedom forever. Over these next few days, I will be speaking with family, supporters, and praying on whether this is the right decision not only for my family, but our state as well. Regardless, the 3rd District must have a proven constitutional conservative that not only has a good understanding of our constitutional rights, but who is able to those rights, and protect our state and nation without expanding government.

With CD3 as expansive (and red) as it is, there will undoubtedly be multiple candidates who declare for it, and this is going to be an interesting one to watch.