JEFFERSON CITY — Southern Missouri state Sen. Chuck Purgason is considering running in the Republican primary for U.S. Senate next year.
Purgason said Wednesday that he is setting up a Senate exploratory committee because he believes there is mounting frustration with the federal debt and spending.
Purgason places part of the blame on his fellow Republicans, whom he says continued to expand government when they were in charge of the House, Senate and presidency.
The only declared Republican Senate candidate so far is U.S. Rep. Roy Blunt, who has represented southwest Missouri's 7th Congressional District since 1997.
Democratic Secretary of State Robin Carnahan also is running for Senate.
They are seeking to replace Republican Sen. Kit Bond, who announced in January that he would not run for re-election in 2010.