One of the names being mentioned as a possible challenger to Senator Jim Talent in next year’s U.S. Senate race is taking his name out of the mix. State Senator Chuck Graham of Columbia tells the St. Louis Post-Dispatch he will not be a candidate. He says he’ll take over as head of the State Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, which is looking for candidates to field in next year’s elections. While announcing he will not run, Graham is making it clear he hopes State Auditor Claire McCaskill will take on Talent. Earlier, Graham had said he would run if McCaskill chose not to enter the race. McCaskill, who has met with national Democratic Party officials in Washington, is considered to be their top choice to challenge Talent. But she has yet to announce her intentions.
