Brownback makes retirement official

Sen. Sam Brownback (R-Kan.) on Thursday officially
announced that he will not seek another term in the Senate, setting up a
probable run for governor in 2010.

Brownback was known to be on the way out, having pledged
to serve just two terms. Two Republicans in the state’s congressional
delegation have already set in motion efforts to run for his seat in two years.

{mosads}Brownback is making three stops today on his announcement
tour and was mum about a gubernatorial run at the first stop, his office said.
But the nature of his announcement tour suggests he is setting up another
statewide run.

The senator is coming off a brief presidential campaign
that never gained traction. He should be a strong bet to succeed term-limited
Gov. Kathleen Sebelius (D), but might face primary opposition from Kansas
Secretary of State Ron Thornburgh (R).

The big question now is whether Sebelius, who is no
longer a candidate for an Obama administration appointment, will run for the
seat. Her candidacy would instantly make the red state competitive.

Rep. Jerry Moran (R), the first lawmaker to announce he
would run for Brownback’s seat, affirmed his candidacy after praising
Brownback’s service.

“At the urging of Kansans from all corners of the state,
I am now a candidate for the U.S. Senate, with the hope of continuing to be an
independent voice for all Kansans,” Moran said in a statement. “A formal
announcement of my candidacy will come at a later time.”