The Lincoln Journal Star reports this morning that U.S. Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns will resign his position and return to Nebraska to run for the seat being vacated by Senator Chuck Hagel. The Journal Star says Johanns and his wife went "house-hunting" in Lincoln over the weekend.

The news, coming as former Senator Bob Kerrey (D) considers a return bid for his old job, will be hugely welcomed by Republicans who, after months of bad news, can claim this as their best recruiting job so far this cycle.

Kerrey has informed New School University trustees that he may resign to make a run at the seat, though no decision is final. Already running are Attorney General Jon Bruning and former Omaha Mayor and Congressman Hal Daub, who announced his candidacy on Monday.

A Kerrey-Johanns matchup could turn out to be one of the best races of the year, as both won election in their home state with ease. The state is heavily Republican, though as we pointed out Monday, Hagel is the only Republican to win a Senate election since 1972.