Rep. Blunt to run for U.S. Senate

WASHINGTON, Feb. 19 (UPI) -- Rep. Roy Blunt, R-Mo., is going to run for Sen. Kit Bond's seat in 2010, sources said Wednesday.

Blunt will announce his candidacy Thursday at three locations in Missouri Thursday, starting in St. Louis, sources close to the congressman told OzarksFirst.com. Blunt also will make stops in Cape Girardeau and Carthage.

Bond, a Republican who has held the seat since 1987, has said he will not seek re-election next year.

Blunt, who was first elected to the House of Representatives in 1996, had already told reporters he was seriously considering the run.