The race to succeed Claire McCaskill as State Auditor grows by one. Platte County Auditor Sandra Thomas is the fifth Republican to enter the race. She does so on the final day to file for the August 8th primary elections. Thomas has served as the Platte County Auditor for the past twelve years. She holds a bachelors degree in accounting from William Jewell College and a masters degree in accounting from the University of Missouri-Kansas City. Four other Republicans are in the race: State Senator John Loudon of Chesterfield, Representative Jack Jackson of Wildwood, Representative Mark Wright of Springfield, and 2002 GOP Auditor candidate Al Hanson of Concordia. Susan Montee is the only Democrat in the race. McCaskill is running for Jim Talent’s U.S. Senate seat.