Johanns Expected To Enter Senate Race, Resign From Bush Cabinet

Former Nebraska governor and Secretary of Agriculture Mike Johanns (R) is expected to resign from the Cabinet to enter the Senate race for the seat of retiring Sen. Chuck Hagel (R-Neb.), according to several sources familiar with his thinking.

The sources said that he will likely be making a formal announcement next week.

Johanns would be entering a competitive GOP primary against state Attorney General Jon Bruning, who was the first Republican to announce his campaign. Bruning entered the race initially to challenge Hagel for the party’s nomination, and already has raised over $732,000.

Former Omaha mayor Hal Daub (R) also has announced his candidacy.

On the Democratic side, all eyes are on former Sen. Bob Kerrey (D-Neb.), who has expressed interest in running. If he jumped in, the race would be one of the cycle’s marquee matchups -- and would give Democrats an opportunity to pick up a seat in a heavily Republican state.