“Jeopardy” music plays in the heads of St. Joseph Democrats as two politicians deliberate over which one will go after a high-profile state Senate seat.

State Reps. Ed Wildberger and Martin Rucker sometime this summer plan to announce who will attempt to fill the upcoming vacancy of Sen. Charlie Shields, R-St. Joseph.

They divulged interest in the 34th Senatorial District early this winter, but the pair agreed that they wanted to avoid a bloody primary and would decide among themselves who’d file for the position.

The Democratic primary could be bloody enough, as Rep. Jason Grill, D-Kansas City, also could put his hat in the ring.

And most of the decision now rests in the lap of Mr. Wildberger.

Mr. Rucker said this week he would willingly back off the race if Mr. Wildberger decided to run.

“He’s the senior member, so I will defer to him,” Mr. Rucker said.

Both are up against walls of term-limits and if they want to continue in the Legislature, it’s now or never. Mr. Wildberger has served the maximum number of terms in the House of Representatives, while Mr. Rucker only can run for one more two-year term before he’ll have to step down.

The Senate seat wouldn’t become open again until 2014 and if Mr. Wildberger were to win the seat, Mr. Rucker has said he wouldn’t challenge his re-election.

The 34th Senatorial District, which covers both Platte and Buchanan counties, is important to statewide Democrats, who lost Senate seats to Republicans in the 2008 election cycle.

On the GOP side, Reps. Dr. Rob Schaaf, R-St. Joseph, and Jason Brown, R-Platte City, are interested in running, too.

“It’s one we are certainly keeping a close eye on. It’s a competitive seat,” said Brian Zuzenak, executive director of the Missouri Democratic Party.

But Mr. Wildberger is taking his time with a decision, as it appears to hinge on the decisions of other officeholders.

“I’m not going to close any doors. Filing is not until February,” Mr. Wildberger said. “I would like to continue a career in public service. There may be something that opens locally that I might be well suited for.”

He alluded to two Buchanan County offices.

County Clerk Pat Conway said he’s still deciding whether to pursue the 27th House District seat Mr. Wildberger soon will vacate.

Also, Karen Higginbotham, recorder of deeds, this week confirmed she wouldn’t seek re-election in 2010 — leaving a guaranteed opening for Mr. Wildberger to pursue.

“I want to make sure whoever wins that (Senate) seat is a Democrat, whether it’s me or Rucker,” Mr. Wildberger said. “I want to make the right decision for the party and the right decision for me.”

Bill Caldwell, Democratic chairman of the 34th Senatorial District Committee, said he doesn’t believe putting the decision off for the summer will hurt the campaign.

“I’m not at all nervous. They need to make what decision is best for them,” Mr. Caldwell said. “They know I will not be active in a primary if it’s a contested race.”

He said both bring with them pluses, such as Mr. Wildberger’s greater experience in bill writing and filing and his labor union connections.

He also credited Mr. Rucker’s ability to work with rural and urban caucuses and his record of behind-the-scenes collaboration with Republicans.

“Ed has filed more bills and some would say more active, but that’s not always — I respect both guys,” Mr. Caldwell said. “I think they would both make great senators.”

Alyson E. Raletz can be reached

at alysonraletz@npgco.com.