Claire McCaskill To Skip Democratic National Convention

Sen. Claire McCaskill (D-Mo.) joined the growing group of Democrats who will skip the Democratic National Convention, Talking Points Memo reported Monday.

"In years when Claire is on the ballot, she has historically not gone to the convention because she believes it's important to stay in Missouri to talk to voters," a McCaskill aide told TPM.

This year, a number of Democrats won't be in attendance. West Virginians Sen. Joe Manchin, Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin and Rep. Nick Rahall -- all of whom are running for reelection in 2012 -- aren't going to the convention.

Sen. Jon Tester (D-Mont.) and Reps. Bill Owens (D-N.Y.) , Kathy Hochul (D-N.Y.), Jim Matheson (D-Utah) and Mark Critz (D-Pa.) also plan to stay away.

At least one Republican is also skipping the GOP's national convention: Rep. Denny Rehberg (R-Mont.) will not attend his party's gathering in Tampa, Fla., The Hill reported on Monday.

Below, a slideshow of Democrats skipping the 2012 Democratic National Convention: