Johanns to resign, run for Senate, sources say

U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Mike Johanns (R) will resign his Cabinet post and run for the Senate seat being vacated by Chuck Hagel (R-Neb.), according to local GOP sources.

{mosads}The sources said Johanns plans to resign early next week, likely Monday, and fly to Nebraska to tour the state.

The decision sets up a potential battle with former Democratic Sen. Bob Kerrey, who is mulling a run. Johanns would first face challenges in the GOP primary from several candidates, including state Attorney General Jon Bruning.

Former Rep. Hal Daub (R) also entered the race this week.

Johanns has been expected to jump into the race but has refused to comment on the possibility since Hagel announced he would not run for a third term last week.

A former Nebraska governor and Lincoln mayor, Johanns only became a Republican in the late 1980s. He became Agriculture secretary in 2005.