ST. LOUIS—U.S. Rep. Blaine Luetkemeyer, who represents a congressional district stretching from Mid-Missouri to the St. Louis region in St. Charles and Jefferson counties, announced Thursday that he will not run for re-election in 2024.

Luetkemeyer has been in Congress since 2009.

A statement released Thursday did not identify any specific reason.

“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,” he said.

The third district includes parts of Boone, Callaway, Camden, Cole, Cooper, Gasconade, Jefferson, Maries, Miller, Montgomery, Moniteau, Osage, St. Charles, Warren, and Washington counties.

Luetkemeyer serves on the House Financial Services Committee as chairman of the Subcommittee on National Security, Illicit Finance, and International Financial Institutions, on the House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party, and on the House Small Business Committee.  

His decision to retire will likely set off a contested GOP primary in a district that would likely be seen as a safe Republican seat, and could see a reshuffling of candidates who have already announced their intent to seek other offices. 

That will not be the case for State Rep. Adam Schwadron, R-St. Charles, who told Spectrum News Thursday afternoon that he was "fully committed" to running for Missouri Secretary of State.

Senate President Caleb Rowden, R-Boone County said in a social media post that he would also remain in the race for Secretary of State. The current Secretary of State, Jay Ashcroft, told Spectrum News he categorically rules out leaving the race for governor to run for Congress. The campaigns of Lt. Gov. Mike Kehoe, also a candidate for governor, and Attorney General Andrew Bailey, also said they would remain in their respective races.

State Sen. Mary Elizabeth Coleman, R-Arnold, confirmed in a social media post that she's considering the race. She was elected to the State Senate in 2022 after being elected to the Missouri House in 2018.

State Sen. Nick Schroer, R-Defiance told Spectrum News he was "absolutely" considering it. 

"We need fighters that have the proven conservative record to get in the trenches and defend our citizens and their individual rights. I will be speaking with my family, supporters, and praying about if this is the right move," he said, adding that the news of Luetkemeyer's retirement was "a big surprise."

Jefferson County Sheriff Dave Marshak told Spectrum News that after the news came out, people had asked him if he was interested in the race. Marshak lives in the neighboring 8th district represented by U.S. Rep. Jason Smith, although that by itself would not preclude a run. Marshak said he was proud of the work Smith was doing for the district. 

Among those Luetkemeyer defeated in the 2008 primary race for the seat was Dr. Bob Onder, the former State Senator from Lake St. Louis who is now a candidate for Lt. Gov. Onder has not responded to a request for comment.

Filing for the August primaries begins Feb. 27.

Luetkemeyer already had at least one prospective Democratic opponent, Bethany Mann, who he defeated in 2022. In a statement to Spectrum News Thursday night, Mann said "Bringing Missouri Together means putting the difficult years of Congressman Luetkemeyers's "service" behind us in favor of putting Missouri workers and families first. We can build exciting things together—cleaner waterways, fully supported education from pre-K to college, and an economy that works for everyone and sets the standard for business around the world."

Mann said she would win what she expects will be a "robust" primary.