Bond, 69, made the announcement Thursday morning at the state Capitol, shortly after Missouri lawmakers convened. 

 "Public service has been a blessing and a labor of love for me — little in life could be more fulfilling, but I have decided that my Senate career will end after this, my fourth term," he said.

Bond first was elected to the Senate in 1986.  He was the only Republican to capture a seat previously held by a Democrat that year. Missouri voters have re-elected him three times since. Before joining the Senate, Bond served as Missouri governor and state auditor.

"In 1973, I became Missouri's youngest governor. I do not aspire to become Missouri's oldest senator," Bond said.

As recently as a few months ago, Bond told crowds that he would seek re-election to a fifth Senate term. Also, Bond's chief of staff, Brian Klippenstein, moved home to Missouri from Washington.  Republicans and other observers saw that move as a strong sign that Bond was laying the groundwork for another campaign.

Bond's retirement is the second political jolt to the Missouri Republican Party in two years.  In January 2008, Gov. Matt Blunt stunned supporters and foes alike by announcing he wouldn't seek a second term. A contentious two-way Republican primary resulted, and Democrat Jay Nixon won the governorship in the general election last November.

 Bond, a native of rural Mexico, Mo., has been the most consistent face of the Missouri Republican Party for several decades.  His retirement will mark the end of one of the most enduring political careers in state history. 

After serving briefly as an assistant attorney general under John Danforth, Bond was elected state auditor in 1970. At 33, Bond became Missouri's youngest governor when he was sworn into office on Jan. 8, 1973, exactly 36 years before the announcement on Thursday of his political retirement.  Bond lost a re-election bid in 1976 and then rebounded and won 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.

Sen. Claire McCaskill, D-Mo., released a statement praising Bond for his service.

"We have a major thing in common in that we both love the state of Missouri," McCaskill said. "I have immense respect for him. There will be few people who will serve Missouri longer than he has or with such distinction."

Jeff Roe, a longtime Republican political consultant in Kansas City, said Bond's announcement caught everyone off guard.

"It's jarring the political world," Roe said.

Roe predicted there will be a wide open race among Republicans and Democrats to succeed Bond.

"I think there will be a land rush," Roe said. "Open Senate seats in Missouri don't occur often. I don't think there's anyone in Missouri who's received over 10,000 votes in the last 10 years that's not thinking about running for Senate right now."

Possible Republican candidates to replace Bond include U.S. Rep. Roy Blunt of Springfield, who recently stepped down from his post as House Minority Whip; former state treasurer Sarah Steelman of Rolla; former Missouri Sen. Jim Talent; former Rep. Kenny Hulshof of Columbia; Rep. Jo Ann Emerson of Cape Girardeau; Rep. Sam Graves of Tarkio; and Lt. Gov. Peter Kinder of Cape Girardeau.

Secretary of State Robin Carnahan was considered the strongest Democrat who might have faced Bond in 2010. Carnahan met with McCaskill in Washington late last year.
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Reporters Sam Hananel, Libby Quaid and Suzanne Gamboa in Washington contributed to this report for The Associated Press.

Edited news release from the senator's office:  

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – In an address before the Missouri General Assembly, U.S. Senator Kit Bond announced that after more than 40 years in elected public service to the State, he will not seek reelection in 2010.   

      “In 1972, I became Missouri ’s youngest Governor.  Ladies and Gentlemen, I do no aspire to become Missouri ’s oldest Senator,” said Bond.

            Bond was first elected to public office in Missouri in 1970 as State Auditor, followed by two terms as Governor, and four terms as U.S. Senator.  Throughout his career of service to the State, Bond has worked across party lines to put Missouri first.  In his address to both chambers today, Bond called on Republicans and Democrats to work together for the common good.  As our nation faces an economic, housing, and financial crisis and the persistent threat of terrorism, bipartisan cooperation is more important then ever.

            “In a world today where enemies are real – the kind who behead others based on their religion – it is important to remember there is a lot of real estate between a political opponent and a true enemy,” said Bond.  “Our cause is bigger than ourselves.  Events in the world and threats will continue to challenge us in significant ways.”

            With a commitment to bipartisanship, members on both sides of the aisle have achieved critical successes for Missouri families and workers.  Bond pointed to some of his proudest bipartisan achievements, like taking the Parents as Teachers program statewide to prepare more children for school; making biotechnology a major growth industry for Missouri, providing jobs and economic development; expanding Community Health Centers to bring quality and affordable health care to Missourians in underserved areas.

            While there are many successes Missourians can be proud of, more needs to be done.  During this next session of Congress, Bond will work Democrats and Republicans on critical state and national priorities, including: working to solve the housing and economic crisis; keeping American intelligence strong; continuing our efforts to make Missouri the Biotech Ally of 21^st Century; promoting Missouri’s job-creating trade and investments; and building a better health care safety net for children, families and the elderly.

            Bond stressed that free from the political demands of another election he hopes to make the next two years the best of his long career of service to Missouri and the nation.  The Senator stressed that the decision announced today was not an easy one to make.

            “As a sixth-generation Missourian, I have always loved our state.  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,” said Bond.  “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.”

            Joined by his wife Linda, Bond will meet with long-time friends and partners at events in Springfield , St. Louis and Kansas City on Friday, and Cape Girardeau on Saturday, where he will urge Republicans and Democrats to work together for the common good and put Missouri first.