Missouri Republican Ed Martin has initiated a 2010 campaign against Democratic Rep. Russ Carnahan in the 3rd District in and around St. Louis.

Martin, who served as chief of staff to Gov. Matt Blunt (2005-2009), recently filed a statement of candidacy and a statement of organization with the Federal Election Commission that establish what Martin is calling an “exploratory” committee.

A July 29 press release took aim at Carnahan’s votes for the economic stimulus law and a House-passed “cap and trade” climate change bill.