WASHINGTON (CNN) – After months of being guarded about his political future, Sen. Chuck Hagel will announce Monday whether he will retire from the Senate or seek a third term. The Nebraska senator has also refused to rule out a run for the Republican presidential nomination.
This will all be put to rest at 11 a.m. ET when Hagel discloses his decision at a news conference held at the Omaha Press Club.
Hagel, a decorated Vietnam War veteran, was first elected in 1996.
The Rothenberg Political Report describes Hagel as having a “Clear Advantage” if he chooses to seek re-election. But if Hagel decides to run, he will be opposed in the primary by Nebraska Attorney General Jon Bruning.
The state attorney general formally announced in June that he would challenge Hagel for the GOP Senate nomination. Meanwhile, Democrats are actively recruiting former Sen. Bob Kerrey to run for the seat. Kerrey retired in 2000 and is currently the president of The New School in New York City.
- CNN Political Editor Mark Preston