The can't seem to attract any candidates

303 to 224; that's the margin of Republican candidates to Democrats this year in Missouri. This is a state that is always considered a bellweather of public opinion nationwide.

From the Kansas City Star:

JEFFERSON CITY | Significantly more of Missouri's political candidates are calling themselves Republicans than Democrats this year.

When Missouri's candidacy filing period ended last week, Republicans comprised 303 of the 582 people running for U.S. Senate or House, the state Legislature, state auditor or circuit judgeships. Democrats had 224 candidates, and the rest were aligned with either the Libertarian or Constitution parties.