Phyllis Schlafly Endorses Ed Martin in House Race

*Editor's note: An earlier version of this article and its accompanying subheadline incorrectly identified a title previously held by Ann Wagner. She served as a co-chair on the Republican National Committee. This article has been updated to reflect the correct title.

Conservative political figure Phyllis Schlafly has endorsed Republican Ed Martin in his bid to win a seat in Congress, Martin's campaign said in a statement Tuesday.

Schlafly, a longtime and influential member of the conservative wing of the Republican Party, established the and continues to work out of the office.

Martin is seeking .

In the statement released by the Martin campaign, Schlafly said in part: "Whether fighting for lower taxes for families and businesses, taking on ACORN and voter fraud at the St. Louis Election Board, or fighting to stop Jay Nixon's pro-illegal immigration appointments, Ed has shown himself a fearless and courageous conservative."

Former Republican National Committee co-chair* also is in the GOP race and will kick off her campaign from her Ballwin home later this week.

In Tuesday's edition of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, reporter Jake Wagman provides an analysis of what the endorsement means for the race.

The Democratic side of the race is still unclear, as Rep. Russ Carnahan (D-St. Louis)—whose 3rd District seat brought on by lower population data in the 2010 census—weighs a bid in the 2nd District or a primary challenge to 1st District Rep. William Lacy Clay (D-St. Louis).