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Ike Skelton

As a veteran member of Congress, U.S. Rep. Ike Skelton enjoys a powerful committee post and seniority befitting a lawmaker first elected the same year Jimmy Carter won the White House.

But will the tenured Democrat soon face something that he hasn’t seen in years: A viable opponent?

On Monday,  Politico revealed a note ^[2]from Republican Congressional Committee Chairman Pete Sessions announcing the party’s list of targeted seats to turn red.

The only name from Missouri was Skelton.

Skelton, 77, has won by a 60 percent margin in every election since at least 1996. As head of the House Armed Services Committee, Skelton is probably the most influential member of Missouri’s House delegation.

However, Republicans recently took out a radio ad attacking Skelton’s vote for “cap and trade” emissions legislation, which opponents say will hurt small businesses.

The district stretches from Jefferson City to the Kansas border, covering some 24 counties.

Reporter/blogger Jason Rosenbaum hears that Republican State Sen. Bill Stouffer, a farmer from Saline County, may challenge Skelton next year. ^[3] A report from CQ Politics ^[4]has Vicky Hartzler — a Republican former state rep who wrote a book on running a campaign “God’s Way” ^[5] — weighing a bid as well.

Will either of them or somebody else be able to unseat Skelton, who has been winning re-election for three decades?

It certainly seems unlikely, but the GOP seems intent on making sure, at least, Skelton does not get a free pass.