Incumbent	Matt Blunt
Party	Republican
Seeking Re-election?	Most Likely
Candidate Website	Gubernatorial Website Campaign Website

Potential Challenger	Jay Nixon, Attorney General
Party	Democratic
Source of Information	Filed paperwork Nov. 2005. Link
Candidate Website	Campaign Website

Potential Challenger	C. Anthony Ince
Party	Republican
Source of Information	announced 5/24/07 via email
Candidate Website	ince2008.com

September 6, 2007 update:

This race is getting nasty quickly, with both sides airing disgusting attack ads at each other. According to Sabato's Crystal Ball:

"One major point of contention is the recently reinstated campaign donation limits, which, if applied retroactively, would cause Blunt to return $4 million in donations, but Nixon only $1 million. If the courts decide to apply the donation limits to the campaign, Blunt's current fundraising advantage would be essentially wiped away in one fell swoop."

If Blunt's fundraising advantage goes down the tubes, so do most of his chances of being re-elected.

Here's the Link

Background Information

Via Political Wire, the Evans-Novak (R) Political Report:

Missouri Gov. Matt Blunt (R) “is one of a handful of Republican governors in serious trouble. He finds himself somewhere between the situation of Kentucky Gov. Ernie Fletcher (R) -- who may face a primary or decline to run again -- and that of Gov. Mitch Daniels (R-Ind.), who is moderately unpopular but not a long shot for a second term."

"Blunt has yet to decide on his own plans for 2008. The topic of whether he will seek re-election did not come up during a recent powwow he held with this top staff. Blunt made a few major mistakes, including his unnecessary and public support of one ballot measure (funding embryonic research) and opposition to another (minimum wage). The former hurt him badly with his base, the latter could hurt him in a general election."

Polls

Via Hotline 2/2/07, an American Viewpoint (R) poll; conducted 1/9-11; surveyed 800 RVs; margin of error +/- 3.5 (release, 2/1). Party ID breakdown: 34%D, 30%R and 35%I. Tested: Gov. Matt Blunt (R).

Blunt as Gov.
Approve 46%
Disapprove 44%

Fav/Unfav
Blunt 47%/45%

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