JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) - Former Cass County prosecutor Teresa Hensley says she's seeking the Democratic nomination for Missouri attorney general, which had briefly become a one-candidate race when Scott Sifton dropped out to seek re-election to the state Senate.
During the announcement Thursday, the same day Sifton departed the race, Hensley noted her nearly a decade serving as a prosecutor. The quick move touted her experience compared to fellow Democratic candidate St. Louis Assessor Jake Zimmerman.
"I have a unique understanding of the power and importance of the Office of the Attorney General," Hensley said in a statement. "As the state's top prosecutor, I will seek justice with honesty and integrity for Missouri's families."
Zimmerman said in a statement that he plans to draw on his time as an assistant attorney general from 2002 to 2003.
"It's the Attorney General's job to make sure our laws are applied equally and fairly, no matter who you are," Zimmerman said. "I expect a friendly and vigorous debate on our qualifications and the issues."
Sifton's departure from the race Thursday appeared to clear the way for Zimmerman to run for the office without the threat of a primary.
But with Hensley's candidacy, he'll face in-party competition. Two Republicans - state Sen. Kurt Schaefer, of Columbia, and University of Missouri School of Law associate professor Josh Hawley - also are running for the office.
Zimmerman had a financial edge over Sifton, with about $921,000 to spend on a campaign compared to Sifton's roughly $488,000 as of June 30.
Hensley, a 56-year-old resident of Lake Winnebago, must start from scratch in terms of fundraising. She said she has "a lot of work to do," but said she's up to the challenge.
Hensley previously served as Cass County prosecutor from 2005 until 2014, when she lost a re-election bid to Republican political newcomer Ben Butler. She now works at Hensley Law Office in Raymore.
Hensley lost a campaign against Republican U.S. Rep. Vicki Hartzler of Missouri in 2012, and also lost a state House campaign in 2002.
But Hensley said her chances as a Democratic statewide candidate - if she can defeat Zimmerman - are good. While Republicans control Missouri's Legislature, only one statewide elected official is a Republican, although one Democratic office-holder was appointed and not elected.
Hensley said if elected, she wants to address domestic violence, citing Koster's past work on the issue.