Missouri attorney Ed Martin has finally found his race for 2012. He began the cycle as a contender to take on Sen. Claire McCaskil (D-Mo.). Then he decided to run instead for the open seat in Missouri’s 2nd Congressional district. Then he mulled a gubernatorial bid. Now he’s settled on running for Missouri attorney general.

“I took a look at my skills — I think I’m a pretty well-trained attorney, who has had some success — and the reality of the current job and I think it’s a match,” he told Roll Call in an interview today.

Martin almost unseated Rep. Russ Carnahan (D-Mo.) in 2010, but he said he’s not going to Congress in 2013.

“I have found my political calling,” he said of his bid for attorney general. “The reason to be in public life is to make a difference, and this is the place where I can do it and I’m looking forward to it.”

That leaves an easy path to Congress for former Ambassador Ann Wagner, a potent fundraiser and the only serious contender in the race for the 2nd district seat. Roll Call rates the seat as Likely Republican.

The state GOP was understandably pleased with Martin’s decision.

“As he has demonstrated throughout his career in public service, including his near-defeat of an entrenched Democrat incumbent in 2010, Ed Martin is a respected attorney, a staunch conservative, a tireless campaigner, and he will make an outstanding Attorney General,” Missouri Republican Party Chairman David Cole said in a statement.