ST. LOUIS (KMOX) - As of Wednesday morning Jo Ann Emerson is no longer a congresswoman from Southeast Missouri. Her resignation took effect at midnight.

It ended a 17 year congressional career for Jo Ann, and more than 30 years during which an Emerson occupied the 8th Congressional seat. (Her husband Bill held it first.)

Editor in Chief of Politic-Missouri-dot-com Eli Yokley says Republicans are scrambling to fill the seat.

“It’s really hard to call but the common wisdom is that (Lt. Gov.) Peter Kinder, (State Representative) Todd Richardson and (State Representative) Jason Smith are the ones in contention for this.” said Yokley on the Mark Reardon Show.

Governor Nixon has set a June 4th special election date.

Republicans feel they have the advantage in that district, but factions within the party are jockeying for position.

An 86 member Republican Committee will vote on the candidate who will run for the seat.

Eli Yokley thinks that winner will likely emerge in early February.