Missouri congresswoman not interested in Senate seat

WASHINGTON — Missouri Republican Rep. Jo Ann Emerson says she won't be among the candidates seeking to replace outgoing GOP Sen. Kit Bond.

Bond announced Thursday he would not seek re-election next year to his Missouri Senate seat. That has set off much conjecture about who might replace him. Emerson was considered a potential Republican candidate.

But an aide says the House is where Emerson wants to be. He says she is particularly excited about her new assignment as the ranking Republican on the House Appropriations Committee's financial services subcommittee.

Emerson represents Missouri's eighth district which includes several of the state's southern counties.