JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) - Democratic U.S. Sen. Claire McCaskill is launching a weeklong campaign swing through Missouri that she is calling the official start of her re-election bid.
McCaskill was to begin Saturday in St. Joseph for the opening of a Missouri Democratic Party coordinated campaign office. The first-term senator then plans to travel by RV to about two dozen communities scattered throughout the state.
Congressman Todd Akin, St. Louis businessman John Brunner and former Missouri Treasurer Sarah Steelman are competing in the Republican primary on Aug. 7 to challenge McCaskill.
McCaskill will be getting some campaign help from Vice President Joe Biden.
McCaskill's campaign says Biden will make his first trip to Missouri to help McCaskill's re-election bid when he attends a fundraiser July 9 in Kansas City. McCaskill calls Biden a good friend and says she's humbled to have his support.
Earlier this week, McCaskill drew attention by saying she plans to skip the Democratic National Convention in North Carolina to campaign in Missouri instead.