Bond won’t seek reelection

Sen. Kit Bond (R-Mo.) has decided not to seek reelection
in 2010, adding another open seat in a battleground
state to the list of those Republicans have to defend.

In a speech before the Missouri general assembly
Thursday, Bond said he would conclude a long career of public service, which
includes four terms in the Senate, two terms as governor and a stint as state
auditor.

{mosads}“In 1972, I became Missouri’s youngest governor,” he
said. “Ladies and Gentlemen, I do no aspire to become Missouri’s oldest
senator.”

Bond joins Sen. Mel Martinez (R-Fla.) in retirement in
two of the top swing states in the nation.

The four-term incumbent’s decision comes as more of a
blow than Martinez’s, though, as Bond appeared better positioned for reelection
than Martinez. But Bond is also 69 years old and has never taken more than 56
percent of the vote.

Even if he ran, Democrats were expected to produce a
formidable challenge, possibly from state Secretary of State Robin Carnahan
(D).

A recent Research 2000 poll for the liberal website Daily
Kos had Carnahan trailing by just four points, 47-43.

Bond had $1.3 million in the bank as of Sept. 30. Year-end
financial reports are not yet available.

He will be joined in retirement by Martinez,
gubernatorial candidate Sam Brownback (R-Kan.), and likely gubernatorial
candidate Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-Texas).

Martinez’s and Hutchison’s seats will both feature viable
Democratic candidates, while Brownback’s seat could, if Democratic Gov.
Kathleen Sebelius decides to run. She is term-limited in 2010.

Democrats took three open seats from the GOP side in
2008, in Colorado, New Mexico and Virginia. The GOP retained open seats in
Idaho and Nebraska.

Among the Republicans being mentioned as possible
candidates are former Sen. Jim Talent and Reps. Roy Blunt, Sam Graves and Jo
Ann Emerson. Two gubernatorial candidates from 2008 – outgoing state treasurer
Sarah Steelman and former Rep. Kenny Hulshof – also could run.