Another incumbent Senate Republican bowing out Muriel Kane

Published: Thursday January 8, 2009





Print This Email This Senator Kit Bond (R-MO) has just announced that he will not seek reelection when his term expires two years from now.



Bond told the Missouri General Assembly on Thursday, "In 1972, I became Missouri's youngest Governor. Good friends, I do not aspire to become Missouri's oldest Senator."



The Politico calls Bond's announcement "a blow to Senate Republicans" and "a sign that 2010 could be another tough cycle for the weakened GOP minority."



Two other prominent Republican senators, Mel Martinez of Florida and Sam Brownback of Kansas have also announced their retirement, raising the possibility of additional Democratic gains in 2010 which could create a filibuster-proof majority. There is also speculation that Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison might run for governor of Texas, which would create a fourth vacancy.



Missouri has recently been a battleground state. Senator Claire McCaskill defeated incumbent Republican Jim Talent there in 2006. In 2008, although Barack Obama narrowly lost to John McCain by 5000 votes, the state elected a Democrat to succeed retiring Republican governor Matt Blunt.



The Politico speculates that a number of prominent Republicans might be interested in the seat, including Talent, former House Majority Whip Roy Blunt, and others. Blunt, who is the father of outgoing Governor Matt Blunt, is considered to have the edge if he decides to run.



On the Democratic side, Missouri Secretary of State Robin Carnahan, the daughter of the late Governor Mel Carnahan, is described as having "been laying the groundwork for a campaign for weeks."







