An "informed source" is telling the Lincoln Journal Star that state Attorney General Jon Bruning is planning to withdraw from the Nebraska Republican Senate primary sometime next week. If true, Bruning's exit would spare the GOP from a potentially divisive primary and effectively cede the nomination to former Governor Mike Johanns, who looks strong for the general election.

However, Bruning's campaign manager, Jordan McGrain, is dismissing the reports as “gossip and speculation.”

Omaha Mayor Mike Fahey (D-NE) said today that he will not run for the seat of retiring Sen. Chuck Hagel (R-NE), giving Senate Democrats their second dose of disappointment from Nebraska after former Sen. Bob Kerrey (D) decided not to run last month.

Fahey was seen as a credible candidate, and his decision likely makes the GOP more favored to retain the open seat. Rancher Scott Kleeb (D), who ran a competitive House campaign in the state's most conservative turf in 2006, is still considering the race.

Omaha Mayor Mike Fahey (D) has promised Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee Chair Chuck Schumer that he'll take the next "4 to 6 weeks" to consider running for the open seat of retiring Sen. Chuck Hagel (R-NE) next year, but that it's "unlikely" that he'll enter the race against former Gov. Mike Johanns (R).

A Fahey candidacy is the "Plan B" for Senate Democrats, who had hoped that former Sen. Bob Kerrey would enter the race.

The decision by former Senator Bob Kerrey (D-NE) not to run again represents a huge blow to National Democratic strategists, and leaves the Republicans heavily favored to hold on to the open seat.

The current frontrunner is former Governor Mike Johanns, who resigned from President Bush's cabinet as secretary of agriculture to make the race. Johanns faces a primary from state Attorney General Jon Bruning and businessman Pat Flynn, but it remains his race to lose. If the Democrats were to find a strong candidate, their hopes would have to rest on Bruning defeating Johanns.

The Democratic bench in Nebraska is very thin. Omaha Mayor Mike Fahey was courted by the Dems, but has shown a reluctance to get in the race. The next possible candidate would be rancher Scott Kleeb, who ran unsuccessfully last year in the Third Congressional District.

One other thing worth noting: An inability to win this seat would essentially end any hopes by Democrats of reaching 60 Senate seats this cycle.

Former Sen. Bob Kerrey (D-NE) announced today that he will not run for the Senate seat of retiring Republican Chuck Hagel. In a statement released by the Nebraska Democratic Party, Kerrey cited family reasons for his decision.

Kerrey was widely seen as the strongest possible Democrat for the race. His decision leaves former Gov. Mike Johanns (R) as the favorite.

Former Governor Mike Johanns (R-NE) officially launched his much-expected campaign yesterday in the race for Senate, seeking the seat left open by the retirement of Republican incumbent Chuck Hagel.

The campaign Web site is pretty sparse so far, featuring a sign-up sheet, a contributions page, and this YouTube video announcing his campaign:

The Democrats are still waiting on a decision by former Senator Bob Kerrey, undoubtedly their best possible candidate, about whether or not he'll make the race.

In a sign that Republicans are coalescing around the candidacy of frontrunner Mike Johanns in the primary to replace retiring Sen. Chuck Hagel (R-NE), former Omaha Mayor Hal Daub has dropped out of the race, only 11 days after entering. Daub said that by leaving the race, he will help to avoid a contentious primary that could prevent Republicans from retaining the seat.

Just this week, Daub launched the first tv ad of the race.

Bob Kerrey tells the local press in Nebraska that he's "excited" about running for the Senate seat of retiring Chuck Hagel.

But is he actually going to run? He still won't say, and won't say when he'll say, either. National Dems, of course, are desperate for him to run because he'd have a very clear shot at flipping Hagel's seat to blue, having been a Senator in the state before.

One thing leaning him against a run, Kerrey tells the Ohama World-Herald, is that he would have to move his wife and six-year-old son Henry all over the country -- first back to Nebraska for his Senate run, and then to D.C. should he win. "To make this work, we would have to relocate Henry twice," he says.

A new poll shows former Nebraska Governor and outgoing U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Mike Johanns with a massive lead in the Republican primary, according to the Lincoln Journal Star.

Johanns leads with 58%, followed by state Attorney General Jon Bruning at 16%, and former Omaha Mayor Haul Daub trailing with 12%. In an earlier poll, commissioned by Bruning, Johanns led by a much smaller margin: 39% to Bruning's 30% in a head-to-head race.

Johanns will formally enter the race in about two weeks, according to the report. Democrats are still awaiting a final decision from former Senator Bob Kerrey, who is considering a bid, but has sent out some signals that he may take a pass on the race.

Former Congressman Hal Daub (R) is the first candidate on the air in the Nebraska Senate race, with this spot running in a $30,000 statewide ad buy:

Daub could soon be facing some major opposition in the primary — it is widely expected that former Governor Mike Johanns will run, and state attorney general Jon Bruning and businessman Pat Flynn are already in the GOP race. So it makes sense for Daub to get on the air early.

So New School President Bob Kerrey may not run for retiring Senator Chuck Hagel's seat, after all, according to several people close to him.

If he does nix a run it'll be a blow to national Dems who've been hoping that he'd go for it, since he has a very good shot at capturing the seat for Democrats, having been a Senator in the state in the past. Apparently he was set to make an announcement today but now may delay sharing word on his plans until next week.

It's official: Mike Johanns has resigned as President Bush's secretary of agriculture, paving the way for him to run for Senate back home in Nebraska.

"He would make an outstanding member of the United States Senate and there is no doubt in my mind," President Bush said at the announcement this morning.

The Nebraska Senate race could end up being a top-tier contest next year, potentially pitting Johanns, a popular former governor, against former Democratic Senator Bob Kerrey.

It looks like the strongest possible Republican candidate for the open Senate seat in Nebraska is in the race. Former Governor Mike Johanns has reportedly informed his supporters that he's resigning as secretary of agriculture to return home — the first step in starting his candidacy.

Democrats have been courting their own dream candidate, former Senator Bob Kerrey, who retired in 2000 after 12 years in the Senate.

Another Republican has joined the race for the seat of retiring Senator Chuck Hagel (R-NE). Former Congressman Hal Daub, who also served as mayor of Omaha, officially announced his candidacy today. Daub had already been exploring a primary challenge against Hagel, along with current candidates Jon Bruning, the state attorney general, and financial analyst Pat Flynn.

Many Republicans are also rumored to be courting former governor and current U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Mike Johanns, while former Democratic Senator Bob Kerrey is also looking at the race.

Before he announced his retirement, Hagel had already become a target of the right due to his break with the White House on Iraq.

A poll released by Nebraska Attorney General Jon Bruning (R) shows a close race against former Governor Mike Johanns for the Republican nomination for Senate, Roll Call reports. Johanns leads with 39% support, followed by Bruning at 30%.

"These numbers show that the pundits who say Mike Johanns is a clear favorite are flat-out wrong," said Bruning campaign manager Jordan McGrain. "Johanns is not the heavyweight among Republicans some expect him to be."

The poll also showed Bruning ahead of former Congressman Hal Daub in a two-way Republican primary, 48%-17%. Overall, the poll is a strong signal that Bruning has no intention of backing down if Johanns makes the race.

The Nebraska Senate race is expected to be a top Democratic target next year, if former Dem Senator Bob Kerrey runs for the seat. Two-term incumbent Chuck Hagel, a strong conservative who has broken sharply with the White House on Iraq, is retiring. Bruning was already running hard against Hagel in the GOP primary, citing Hagel's votes with Senate Democrats on the issue.

Now this is fun — and almost enough to make you believe in omens. As Senator Chuck Hagel (R-NE) was delivering his retirement announcement at the Omaha Press Club today, a caricature portrait of the Senator, hanging on the wall behind him with other caricatures of state politicians, slipped and fell to the ground.

Hagel's reaction: "I would have preferred to have somebody else tumble down."

Senator Chuck Hagel (R-NE) just announced his retirement, setting up a potential Democratic pick-up if former Senator Bob Kerrey (D) jumps in the race. At his press conference, Hagel said:

"I'm here with my family this morning to announce that I will not seek a third term in the United States Senate nor do I intend to be a candidate for any office in 2008. It has been my greatest honor and privilege to serve my country and represent my fellow Nebraskans in the United States Senate. My family and I will be forever grateful for this opportunity and the trust placed in me by the people of Nebraska."

A reminder: Senator Chuck Hagel (R-NE) is expected to announce today that he is not seeking re-election in 2008, setting up a potentially competitive open-seat race. Hagel, a conservative who has broken sharply with the White House on Iraq, had become increasingly alienated from the Congressional GOP and was already facing multiple primary challengers in his conservative state. His press conference is scheduled for 11 a.m. ET, at the Omaha Press Club in Nebraska.

Democrats have been courting former Senator Bob Kerrey to make a comeback, while the Republican field is already crowded — State Attorney General Jon Bruning, financial analyst Pat Flynn, and former Congressman Hal Daub were already running or exploring bids. Additionally, former Governor and current U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Mike Johanns could enter the race for the Republican nomination.

In a move that opens up another Senate seat for a possible Dem pickup, Senator Chuck Hagel (R-NE) will announce his retirement at a press conference on Monday, according to this morning's Omaha World Herald. He'll also take himself out of contention for the Presidency, the paper reports:

Hagel plans to announce that "he will not run for re-election and that he does not intend to be a candidate for any office in 2008," said one person, who asked not to be named.

Hagel has scheduled a press conference for 10 a.m. Monday at the Omaha Press Club.

According to one person interviewed, Hagel told Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky on Friday morning that he had decided to retire. Hagel's staff learned of his decision that afternoon.

The news will set in motion a scramble to succeed him. Two Republicans -- Attorney General Jon Bruning and financial adviser Pat Flynn -- have already announced, and former Dem Senator Bob Kerrey has said he's interested in returning to the Senate.

A Kerrey entry into the race would give Dems a real shot at picking up another Senate seat and at the very least would add to the mounting 2008 Senate woes of the GOP. The party is already dealing with Senator John Warner's (R-VA) announced retirement and Senator Larry Craig's (R-ID) almost certain resignation, as well as the increased vulnerability of GOP Senators like Norm Coleman, John Sununu, and Susan Collins, all of whom face reelection next year and are badly weakened by the Iraq War. ( Via Think Progress.)

Late Update: The New York Times is now reporting the same thing, citing anonymous aides to the Senator.

Later Update: The paper adds that Kerrey declined to comment today on his intentions, but last month, he said: “These moments don’t happen very often. It’s a possibility.”

So what do Nebraska Dems think Senator Chuck Hagel (R-NE) will say at his (R-NE) press conference on Monday?

They think he's retiring. That's what Eric Fought, communications director for the Nebraska Democratic Party, just told us by phone: "Well, I think the conventional wisdom is that he's going to announce that he's not seeking re-election, and that's where everybody thinks this is going to go."

Fought explained that Hagel's own recent behavior suggests a retirement. "He was almost invisible during the August recess, so that's one clue," Fought said. Normally, a politician who plans on running again will spend recesses going to town hall meetings and other public events, keeping in touch with constituents. Also, Fought noted, Hagel has not been raising money for a re-election bid — and this is despite the fact that he already has multiple primary challengers.

Hagel could still throw everyone for a loop and announce that he's running. But so far, there does seem to be good evidence that this will be an open-seat race next year. A Hagel retirement would be a big deal and another headache for the GOP, since it could clear the way for a Democratic pickup if former Senator Bob Kerrey (D) decides to make a comeback and run for Hagel's seat.

Senator Chuck Hagel (R-NE), a conservative who has broken sharply with the White House on Iraq, will hold a press conference on Monday to announce his future political plans. He is up for re-election in 2008, and the Monday announcement could finally reveal whether he is retiring, as many expect, or will in fact be running again.

Hagel already faces pro-war primary challenges from Nebraska Attorney General Jon Bruning, businessman Pat Flynn, and former Congressman Hal Daub — though in an ironic twist, having that many Republican challengers could actually help him if he is seeking re-election.

If Hagel does not run, former Democratic Senator Bob Kerrey might seek a comeback, and would be a favorite to win the seat. If Kerrey does not run, Democrats have also been courting Omaha Mayor Mike Fahey. Neither of them will run if Hagel does.

GOP Senator Chuck Hagel, a conservative who has broken with his party to vote with the Democrats on Iraq withdrawal, may be in serious danger of losing the Republican primary for re-election next year. A new poll commissioned by state Attorney General Jon Bruning shows Bruning ahead of Hagel 47%-38%.

One might be inclined to dismiss this number as cooked up from a commissioned poll that trashes Hagel's name to get a desired result, but not so; The 47%-38% number camde before the questions trashing Hagel, according to the official poll questionnaire. After Hagel's negatives with conservative voters were tested, the gap became an even more impressive 55% for Bruning to Hagel's 31%.

So what will happen in 2008? Will Bruning challenge Hagel? Will Bruning win election to the Senate? Will Hagel win re-election as an Independent, in a mirror image of Joe Lieberman's race last year? Or will a Democrat take the seat after a nasty Republican primary? Stay tuned.