Despite a flock of Democrats vying to replace him in November, U.S. Rep. Todd Akin showed he was in no rush to make his re-election bid official.

Akin was in Jefferson City this morning – six days after filing opened for the August primary – putting his name on the ballot for a 5^th term.

Though Akin’s job security appears to be firmly intact, that has not prevented a crop of Democrats from seeking to run against him in the fall.

Five Democrats entered the race on the first day of filing. To local news consumers, the most recognizable name of the bunch is serial candidate Bill Haas. After four campaigns for mayor, Haas is making his second bid for Congress.

Another veteran of City Hall politics in the race is former St. Louis Alderman David L. Pentland.

But, unlike Haas, Pentland actually lives in the Second District – which stretches from Kirkwood to Lincoln County.

While Pentland moved from the city’s 25th Ward to Warson Woods, Haas, a Central West Ender, is benefiting from the law that requires congressional candidates to live only in the state they want to represent – and not necessarily the district.

Akin: Filed for a fifth term