ST. LOUIS (KMOX) - With Todd Akin abandoning his six-term career in the U.S. House for a failed run at the Senate, Missouri’s 2nd District seat was guaranteed to change hands in 2012. The question of who would fill it was answered Tuesday night with the victory of Ann Wagner.

Wagner cruised to an expected win over Democrat Glenn Koenen after building up a large fundraising advantage in Missouri’s 2nd.

Wagner was the Chair of the Missouri Republican Party from 1999 until 2005 and co-chair of the Republican National Committee for four years, as well as an American ambassador to Luxembourg.

Despite his standing as a councilman and mayor pro-tem in Webster Groves, Wagner’s primary opponent Dr. Randy Jotte was a political novice by comparison.

Wagner had received endorsements from New Jersey Governor Chris Christie, former Attorney General John Ashcroft, and former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee.