SPRINGFIELD -- A third Republican candidate has officially thrown his hat into the ring to replace Roy Blunt in Congress next year.

Jeff Wisdom is a college professor and Iraq war veteran who's now running for Congress. His campaign launch in the 7th Congressional District is the latest example of a growing conservative movement unhappy with the leaders in the Republican Party.

"I am a conservative, Christian, pro-life, veteran and proud of it," Wisdom said to a room of about 30 supporters in Springfield on Tuesday.

While none of those traits are surprising for a Republican running in Southwest Missouri, Wisdom separated himself by taking aim at the man he's trying to succeed.

"I believe Roy Blunt went to Washington D.C. and became part of the problem in Washington D.C. I think he became beholden to a lot of special interests," Wisdom said in an interview with KY3 News after his announcement.

The conventional wisdom is that directly criticizing a powerful Republican leader that you may be sharing a ticket with in 2010 isn't necessarily smart politics.

But then again, these aren't conventional times for a Republican Party under fire from fed-up conservatives who can't be taken for granted anymore.

Wisdom isn't the only low-profile political novice trying to shake up the Ozarks Congressional race.  Nixa alderman Kevin Elmer, who's likely to announce his candidacy for the U.S. House soon, is also delivering an anti-establishment message.

"I've got a family, wife, three young boys, four, seven and nine,  and I intend on them continuing to be raised in Nixa, Missouri," Elmer said to college Republicans at Missouri State University last week.  "I don't want us to go to D.C. and some private school out there," Elmer added.

Running against Washington certainly isn't anything new, but Republicans distancing themselves from the party line is a sign that some believe the anger seen at tea parties, might just be a political opportunity.

"I just believe Roy Blunt became part of the establishment. I don't want to become part of the establishment," Wisdom said.

The other two officially announced candidates for the 7th U.S. House seat are auctioneer Billy Long, who's currently the fundraising leader and State Senator Jack Goodman of Mount Vernon.  

For more video of Wisdom's announcement and information on the candidates running to replace Blunt, head to the KY3 Political Notebook.

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