State Rep. Don Calloway, D-Bel Nor, announced Monday that he's definitely seeking the 14th District state Senate seat soon to be vacated by fellow Democrat Rita Days.

"For better or for worse, I will not be in the House next year,'' said Calloway, who is only in his first term. "I'll either be in the Senate or in private practice as a lawyer."

(Here's his full statement.)

Calloway's announcement came shortly after he had confirmed to the Beacon, in his first public comments, that he was considering the Senate bid -- backing up rumors that have been circulating for days on the Web. (Hat tip to the Arch City Chronicle.)

Calloway said he had been enjoying his time in the House, but "the Senate is where you can have a greater legislative impact." That's particularly true for Democrats, he said, who are in the minority in both chambers.

He already has attracted some publicity over his role in the controversy involving the Northeast Ambulance and Fire Protection District.  Calloway is siding with district residents in their court fight against fire district officials, putting him at odds with the district's lawyer, former state Rep. Elbert Walton.

Calloway, 30, grew up in Bel Nor, graduated from Ladue High School, and attended Alabama A & M for undergraduate, and Boston College for law school.

The pool of wannabes for the 14th District seat already is crowded because it's a once-every-eight-years opportunity. Days must leave after this year because of term limits.

Others who already have announced, are likely to, or are at least thinking about it:

• University City Mayor Joe Adams;
• state Rep. Maria Chappelle Nadal, D-University City;
• state Rep. Theodore “Ted” Hoskins, D-Berkeley;
• former state Rep. Esther Haywood, D-Bellerive.

The pool may get even more crowded by the time filing begins on Feb. 23. It ends on March 30.