The Republican 19th Senatorial District Committee met Sunday evening in Columbia to decide on a replacement candidate for the Boone County Senate seat.

The only problem is they don't have one at this point.

"We're working with some people behind the scenes on this but some of them need a little bit more convincing," said Anthony Lupo, chairman of Boone County Republican Central Committee.

The Republican Party nominating committee must have a candidate nominated and have the certificate of nomination filed to the Office of the Secretary of State by May 23. Anybody who wants to file for candidacy doesn't have to get the committee nomination to be a candidate.

A Senate term in Missouri lasts four years. Outgoing House District-44 Rep. Cheri Toalson Reisch said the commitment can be tough.

"It's a serious commitment of time, money, freedom, faith, and we're just looking for the candidate that can do that for the Republican party," Reisch said.

The committee says the lack of an opponent for Stephen Webber, the Democratic nominee, is also a concern in other elections. A Webber campaign official told the Missourian Sunday they've raised nearly $1 million so far.

If unopposed, his PAC could provide money to help other Democratic candidates' campaigns. Republican committee members said the predecessor of the seat, Caleb Rowden, had to raise double Webber's contributions in 2020 and believe they will have to do that again.

In 2022, the boundaries of Senate District 19 were redrawn to include only Boone County, dropping a lot of Cooper County voters who leaned Republican. Reisch recognized that the new boundaries make winning as a Republican harder but said that a Republican nomination is necessary because of the makeup of the Missouri Senate.

"Democrats won't get anything done; the university (University of Missouri) doesn't go to Democrats to carry legislation because they can't get anything done," Reisch said.

The primary election for the seat will be held Aug. 6.

The work of the Missouri News Network is written by Missouri School of Journalism students and editors for publication by Missouri Press Association member newspapers.