I guess the field won't be cleared for Tom Schweich...

Here's the Icet press release:

House Budget Chairman, Allen Icet, Announces Bid For Missouri State Auditor

St. Louis, MO - State Representative Allen Icet (R-Wildwood), Chairman of the House Budget Committee, announced today his intention to run for Missouri State Auditor.

"After serious consideration with my family and trusted friends, it is my intention to seek the office of State Auditor in 2010," Icet announced. "The Auditor is the top taxpayer advocate and watchdog in the state, responsible for rooting out waste, fraud and abuse of our tax dollars."

Icet has served on the powerful House Budget Committee since he was first elected to the state legislature in 2002. In 2005, Icet became Chairman of the House Budget Committee after serving one year as Vice-Chair. Icet has become well-known for his staunch defense of taxpayer dollars.

"Over the past four years as House Budget Chair I've worked to bring prudent fiscal management to the state's budget," explained Icet. "As Missouri's next state Auditor, I will use that experience to continue protecting taxpayers by fighting for accountability and transparency in state spending."

Under Icet's leadership Missouri enjoyed unprecedented budget surpluses by focusing on fiscal restraint and accountability while continuing to meet critical healthcare needs, improve transportation and increase education funding without a single tax increase.  Representative Icet said, "We forced state government to live within its means just as every Missouri family must do.  That effort put Missouri in better fiscal shape than almost any other state in the nation."

Icet believes his campaign will be an effort behind which all Missouri Republicans can unite. "There has been much discussion within our party about the need to stand united  for the 2010 election. In accepting the Spirit of Enterprise Award last Thursday  night, former U.S. Senator and U.N. Ambassador John Danforth called on Missouri  Republicans to stand together. I hope my candidacy will provide the entire Missouri GOP a campaign that we can all get excited about," concluded Icet.

Icet received his Bachelor's of Science Degree from Texas A&M University in  Civil Engineering and obtained a Master's in Business Administration from Washington University (St. Louis). Allen Icet and his wife, Carol, reside in Wildwood, MO.  They have four children.
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