Secretary of Agriculture Mike Johanns will resign his position to run for the seat being occupied by Senator Chuck Hagel (R-Neb), according to The Hill. Johanns previously served as Nebraska Governor.

I think it’s good news for our chances to keep the seat. Johanns won reelection in a landslide in 2002, by 69% to 27%.

The Journal Star reports that he will make a formal announcement next week, after handing in his resignation to the White House.

Former GOP State Chairman David Kramer of Omaha has been among those who were outspoken in promoting Johanns as the party’s strongest possible candidate in a potential contest with former Democratic Sen. Bob Kerrey.

Kerrey, who represented Nebraska in the Senate for two terms from 1989 to 2001 and served one term as governor, is actively considering a 2008 Senate bid.

The prospect of a Johanns-Kerrey clash has been touted by the national media and political pundits as one of the premier Senate showdowns in 2008.