( CNN ) -- Missouri Rep. Roy Blunt Thursday announced his intention to run for a seat in the U.S. Senate , a move that sets up what is likely to be a showdown between two prominent families in one of the country 's most politically divided states . Former House Republican Whip Roy Blunt announced he will run for a Missouri Senate seat . Making the official announcement in St. Louis , Missouri , the former House Republican whip indicated he would run on a platform of keeping Democratic control of both Congress and the White House in check . `` Common sense and open debate are in danger of being suppressed by the overreaching liberal monopoly in Congress and the White House , '' he said , according to prepared remarks . `` Never has Washington been in greater need of hearing from people who work hard , pay their taxes and want solutions to urgent economic problems and the ongoing threat of terrorism . '' `` My sense is Missourians and Americans are not well served by one-party rule , '' Blunt also said , citing the massive stimulus measure signed by President Obama that won little Republican support . Blunt 's announcement comes two weeks after Democrat Robin Carnahan jumped into the race . Carnahan is another Missourian with prominent name recognition who enjoys widespread support . `` The Missouri Senate race is shaping up to be one of the most competitive races of the cycle , '' said Nathan Gonzalez , political editor of the Rothenberg Report . `` It has attracted two of the biggest names of the state that has a history of closest elections . '' Both Blunt and Carnahan are seeking the Senate seat set to be vacated by longtime Missouri Republican Kit Bond . Blunt , a six-term congressman representing the state 's conservative southwestern corner , is a longtime Missouri politician with high name recognition across the state and solid support among his party 's conservative base . He has run for statewide office several times during his nascent political career , having served as secretary of state for two terms before losing the Republican primary for governor in 1992 . His son Matt also served as the state 's governor from 2005-2009 , but ultimately decided not to seek another term because of low approval ratings . Blunt faces a state that has become increasing Democratic in the last several election cycles . The state 's other Senate seat went Democratic in 2006 with Claire McCaskill 's narrow win , and Democrat Jay Nixon was elected governor of the state in 2008 . But Republicans still hold edges in the state 's House and Senate chambers and have a majority of the state 's nine congressional seats . While Blunt is likely to enjoy the support of the party 's establishment , he could face a competitive primary challenge from former state Treasurer Sarah Steelman , a vocal critic of her party 's leadership who narrowly lost a bruising primary bid for governor last year . Even though she is not particularly popular in her party , Steelman 's message of reform could resonate if the GOP 's national approval ratings remain low throughout the next two years . `` Republicans would like to avoid a primary in the Senate race , but she 's not the kind of person they will be able to just shove out of a race , '' Gonzalez said . `` She relishes in being in an outsider role . '' But should Blunt make it to a general election facing Carnahan , the race will likely become a hard-fought and high-profile battle of two powerful political names . Carnahan 's father , Mel , served as governor of the state from 1993-2000 and died in a plane crash while running for the U.S. Senate . Carnahan still won the seat , defeating then-Republican Sen. John Ashcroft , and Carnahan 's wife Jean held the post for two years . Carnahan 's brother is also a U.S. congressman representing the outskirts of St. Louis . But national Democrats are eager for a match-up against Blunt , who was a protégé to former House Majority Leader Tom DeLay and has been linked to disgraced lobbyist Jack Abramoff . `` As one of the faces of the same old Republican Party , Roy Blunt enters this race with a whole lot of baggage and a whole lot of questions to answer , '' said Eric Schultz , the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee 's communication 's director . Democrats will also highlight Blunt 's stalwart support of former President Bush , especially when it comes to economic policies . `` I 'd hate to be him , and explaining my votes on the Bush positions , '' DSCC chairman Bob Menendez said of Blunt last week . `` They got their ideas into law . It created one of the worst economies I have ever seen . ''
Ex-Republican whip wants to keep Democrat control in check . Decision comes 2006 after Ex-Republican Jack Abramoff announced bid . Both candidates have high name recognition in U.S. .