Julie Eckstein for State Senate?

That's the talk -- if Senator Chuck Gross resigns his seat (as expected) to become the Director of Administration for St. Charles County, Governor Matt Blunt will likely call for a special election in April.

As discussed here previously, the likely heir would be either state Rep. Carl Bearden or state Rep. Tom Dempsey.

But last night I heard an interesting scenario. Eck, who just left her position as Missouri's Director of Health and Senior Services didn't exactly see eye to eye with Blunt Chief of Staff Ed Martin.

She's a talented woman, to be sure -- Master's in Health Administration, Healthy Communities Executive Director, small businesswoman -- not to mention that stint in the governor's cabinet. Here's the press release that the guv put out in 2005, when she was selected.

Would be quite interesting if she throws her hat in the ring to serve out her good friend Chuck's term in the state senate.

It doesn't hurt that she is good friends with just about every mover and shaker in the county, including Republican Central Committee Chairman Jon Bennett. It probably also doesn't hurt that she has the same last name is Major League Baseball MVP David Eckstein, although I don't think they're related!

Sit tight ... it might be a bumpy ride!