Bond will not seek re-election in 2010
U.S. Sen. Kit Bond, R-Mo., who has worked in Missouri and national politics for more than four decades, will retire instead of running for re-election in 2010.
In comments made at a press conference today, which were obtained by The Maneater through a news release, Bond, who will turn 70 in March, said while he had once served as Missouri's youngest governor, he does "not aspire" to become Missouri's oldest senator.
"As a sixth-generation Missourian, I have always loved our state," Bond said in the release. "Through 40 years in public life I have met many wonderful people. The people I have met along the way are the reason I ran for public office and the reason I am still here. I thank the voters of Missouri who elected me to represent them. There is no greater honor. I am truly blessed to have been entrusted by them with the responsibility of public office."
The Mexico native has been in the U.S. Senate since 1987, and served two terms as governor of Missouri, from 1972-76 and from 1980-84. Now in his fourth term as a senator, he currently serves as vice chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee, and also serves on the Small Business and Entrepreneurship Committee, the Committee on Environment and Public Works and the Appropriations Committee.
Regarded as a political institution in the state, the announcement of Bond's intention to retire invoked responses from Missouri politicians of both partisan stripes.
In a news release, Gov. Matt Blunt called Blunt a friend and a mentor.
"Senator Bond’s achievements over the last forty years have brought growth and prosperity to our state, and his leadership has made our country stronger and our families safer," Blunt said. "When you travel the state as much as I do one sees Senator Bond’s positive imprint almost everywhere. He is an extraordinary man and an extraordinary leader."
In a news release, Democratic Gov.-elect Jay Nixon, who lost to Bond in a bid for his Senate seat in 1998, lauded Bond's service.
"Over the past 40 years, Sen. Kit Bond has made a real difference in the lives of Missourians," Nixon said. "His leadership on national intelligence has kept our families safe, and his commitment to the Parents as Teachers program has given countless children a head start on learning. Our state and nation are stronger because of Sen. Bond’s service."
U.S. Rep. Russ Carnahan, D-Mo., whose sister, Missouri Secretary of State Robin Carnahan, has been viewed by some politicos as a possible Democratic contender for Bond's seat, also issued a release.
"Since being elected to Congress, I have had the opportunity to work with Missouri's Senior Senator Kit Bond," Carnahan said in the release. "While we haven't always agreed, he has had the willingness to work across party lines. As we face many big challenges we will continue to draw on his experience to find solutions for our state and nation. Along with other members of the Missouri delegation in Washington and citizens across the state I thank him for his many years of public service.