Doctor Makes It Official: Jotte In Race For Congress

Randy Jotte, an emergency room doctor at Barnes Jewish Hospital, has officially announced plans to run for the Republican nomination in the race for the second congressional district.

Jotte, who is also an associate professor of Emergency Medicine at Washington University School of Medicine, made the announcement during a news conference this morning at the St. Louis Carousel at Faust Park, in Chesterfield.

"The Washington, D.C. politicians are taking us around and around, going nowhere," Jotte said, and gesturing toward the historic carousel behind him.

"Our country is suffering. We're ready to stop the merry-go-round," he said.

The Webster Groves native is joining former RNC Co-Chair Ann Wagner and Attorney Ed Martin in the race for the newly redrawn district. The seat is being left vacant by U.S. Rep. Todd Akin, who is running for the U.S. Senate.

Despite the headstart Wagner and Martin have in their campaign war chests, Jotte said he felt the cause was worthy, and was prepared to do what was necessary in order to compete.

"What's at stake is so tremendous," Jotte said. "I believe I have something to offer."

As far as his approach to issues, Jotte said: "Once I get the facts, I'll always do the right thing. I'm an independent-thinking problem-solver."

Jotte, a 1978 graduate of , served as a  councilman from 2002 and 2008. Most recently, he ran unsuccessfully for spots in the Missouri General Assembly and St. Louis County Council. He lives in Webster Groves with with his wife Susan, an attorney and their two sons.

The candidate graduated from Vanderbilt University in microbiology, medical school at Harvard University, and a Fullbright Scholar at Oxford.

Chesterfield Patch Editor Jean Whitney contributed to this article.