Missouri Democratic Party Chairwoman Susan Montee says she plans to run for lieutenant governor next year.
Montee said Friday she has been trying to recruit strong Democratic candidates for offices and believes she has the best chance of winning the lieutenant governor's office being vacated by Republican Peter Kinder.
Kinder has said he will not seek re-election and is instead considering a run for governor.
Montee served as state auditor for four years before losing re-election last year to Republican Tom Schweich.
Two other candidates already have entered the lieutenant governor's race. They are Republican House Speaker Steven Tilley and Democrat Becky Plattner, who is chairwoman of the Missouri Conservation Commission.