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JEFFERSON CITY, MO. -- U.S. Sen. Claire McCaskill considers herself both an underdog and a watchdog.

 Heading into her 2012 re-election bid, the Democratic senator from Missouri is casting herself as an underdog to the Republican nominee because of the economic concerns of many voters. But McCaskill also plans to highlight her role as a government watchdog as she makes her case for re-election.

McCaskill cites her opposition to spending earmarks, her legislation creating a Commission on Wartime Contracting and strengthening the role of inspectors general, and her role as chairwoman of a new Subcommittee on Contracting Oversight.

She is likely to face one of three Republicans competing in a primary - U.S. Rep. Todd Akin of suburban St. Louis, former state Treasurer Sarah Steelman of Rolla, or St. Louis area businessman John Brunner.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.