Want the scoop on hot races around the country? Get the digest emailed to you each weekday morning. Sign up here. Leading Off: ' NE-Sen: So freshman Sen. Mike Johanns didn't even need a full term in the Senate to decide he was bored and wanted out. The former two-term governor, who cruised to a comfortable 58-40 victory over Democrat Scott Kleeb in 2008, has announced his intention to retire at the end of his first and only term and has communicated that intent to Nebraska Gov. Dave Heineman.
Interesting, because Heineman is number one with a bullet in terms of Republican choices to replace him. Heineman has been a wildly popular vote-getter, so much so that he beat a true Nebraska legend'former congressman and Cornhuskers head coach Tom Osborne, a man revered for bringing three national championships to Lincoln'in a 2006 gubernatorial primary, before crushing two hapless Democrats in the 2006 and 2010 general elections with over 73 percent of the vote in both cycles.
Will Heineman run? He passed up a shot at the Senate in 2012, so maybe he's not that interested, and he's not exactly a kid (he's 64). True, 2014 may be an easier race'the Democratic field will be weaker this time out without former Sen. Bob Kerrey running (more on that below)'but Heineman is sufficiently popular that he doesn't really have to worry about who the Democratic nominee is, and never did. He'd have skated in 2012, and he'll skate now, if he wants the seat.
And if Heineman doesn't go for it? Head below the fold to see who else might.
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