The federal government shutdown is blocking Missouri Lt. Gov. Peter Kinder from filing his congressional exploratory committee.
Kinder completed the paperwork, but he has been unable to file with the Federal Election Commission. The committee is for a possible run for the 8th Congressional District that covers southeastern Missouri.
Exploratory committees allow potential candidates to raise money. Kinder says he will make a decision in weeks whether to run for Congress. He is serving his third term as lieutenant governor.
Republican U.S. Rep. Jason Smith currently represents the 8th District after replacing Jo Ann Emerson who resigned from Congress. Smith bested Kinder and others this year when an 84-person committee of local Republican leaders selected the party’s nominee for a June special election.