JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) — Missouri Sen. Kit Bond plans announced he will not seek re-election in 2010.

Bond, 69, first was elected to the Senate in 1986 — the only Republican to capture a seat previously held by a Democrat that year. Missouri voters have re-elected him three times since, and as recently as a few months ago, Bond had told crowds that he would be seeking re-election to a fifth Senate term.

Bond's retirement is the second political jolt to the Missouri Republican Party in as many years.

In January 2008, Republican Gov. Matt Blunt stunned supporters and foes alike by announcing he would not seek a second term. A contentious two-way Republican primary resulted, and Democrat Jay Nixon ultimately won the governorship in the November general election.

Bond, a native of rural Mexico, Mo., has been the most consistent face of the Missouri Republican Party for several decades.

After serving briefly as an assistant attorney general under John Danforth, Bond was elected state auditor in 1970. At age 33, Bond became Missouri's youngest governor when he was sworn into office on Jan. 8, 1973 — exactly 36 years before Thursday's announcement of his political retirement.

Bond lost re-election in 1976 only to rebound and win a rematch against Democratic Gov. Joe Teasdale in 1980.

In the Senate, Bond is known as a workhorse who relished the increasing clout he wielded. He became vice chairman of the Intelligence Committee in late 2006 and later played a key role in bringing both parties together to revise the 30-year-old Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, a feat he considered one of his greatest accomplishments as a lawmaker.

Copyright 2009 The Associated Press.

The news that Bond would not run for the Senate kicked the 2010 election into full gear.

"It's buzzing, you'll see names coming out, people making phone calls it’s started all ready," Greene County Republican Chair Danette Proctor says.

“I had heard rumors.” Former Democratic State Lawmaker Doug Harpool says, "When he came out and said he would run I thought he'd changed his mind.”

Now Republicans and Democrats will have to make up their minds about who they will put on the ballot.

The Missouri Democratic Party is already pushing for Robin Carnahan.

"If for some reason she chooses not run there are plenty of candidates like Susan Montee or Russ Carnahan."

The Missouri Republican Party may have a top candidate of its own.

"Roy Blunt is checking out the option.” Proctor says. “If not him, then maybe Jo Ann Emerson or Kenny Hulshof will run."

Bond's departure opens the possibility of putting two Missouri Democrats in the senate for the first time in more than 30 years

"Anytime you're running against an incumbent it makes it hard.” Harpool says. “Now it is a viable seat for the Democrats to win.”

"I don't think they have a very good chance.” Proctor says. “We put in strong candidates and we'll keep a Republican in the senate."

Missouri State University Political Science Professor Mark Rushefsky says it may be a very close race.

Rushefsky says both parties need to pick quick in order to raise millions.

"The person who raises the most money doesn't always win but they win a lot," Rushefsky says.

Many local Democrats think Carnahan will jump at the chance to fight for Bond's seat.

Missouri Democratic Party Chairman Craig Hosmer endorsed Carnahan late Thursday afternoon.

Meanwhile, a person close to Republican Congressman Roy Blunt says Blunt is "definitely interested" in the senate seat.