JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMOX) — The official start of Democratic U.S. Sen. Claire McCaskill’s re-election bid is to begin Saturday in St. Joseph Missouri.

McCaskill is launching a weeklong campaign swing through Missouri for her re-election.  Her journey will begin in St. Joseph, Missouri for the opening of a Missouri Democratic Party coordinated campaign office.  McCaskill will then visit about two dozen communities throughout the state by RV.

Competitors of McCaskill include Congressman Todd Akin, St. Louis businessman John Brunner and former Missouri Treasurer Sarah Steelman.  They plan to challenge McCaskill during the Republican primary on Aug. 7.

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