Calling himself "a most unlikely candidate" with a "most unusual campaign," Patrick Lee, 65, Ashland, filed Tuesday with the secretary of state's office as a write-in candidate for the U.S. Senate.
To win the seat now held by Republican Roy Blunt, who is seeking re-election, Lee would need more write-in votes in the Nov. 8 general election than the winners of the Republican, Democrat, Libertarian and Constitution party primaries on Aug. 2.
Those parties' winning candidates' names will be printed on the Nov. 8 ballot. Lee's will not be printed there.
He said his campaign theme is "No More Kicking the Can," and his position on nine major issues begins with eliminating the annual national budget deficit and the nearly $19 trillion national debt.
"Congress has been kicking the can on important issues for years," Lee said in a news release. "On debt, income tax, Social Security, immigration - you name it, they've kicked it.
"I am running to influence the debate in this election and to draw attention to their lack of leadership."
Lee said he began his "independent" campaign Jan. 20 and has driven nearly 8,300 miles to make 117 presentations in 84 Missouri counties.
Lee said he offers specific proposals on nine major issues, including eliminating debt, simplifying the U.S. income tax, securing Social Security, reining in government regulations, replacing (but not repealing) Obamacare with a "comprehensive, market-based" plan, resolving immigration issues, cleaning up campaign finance laws and having a "responsible and responsive" government.
Details of his ideas can be found on his website, www.WriteInPatrickLee.com.
This is Lee's first bid for an elected public office. He's been a Missouri resident since 1959 and a Boone County resident since 1992.