Sen. Tim Johnson today released a written statement confirming what many had suspected: He will run for re-election in 2008, according to the Rapid City Journal. Johnson has faced a long road to recovery following a cerebral arteriovenous malformation, a form of bleeding in the brain, though his staff has long said they expect him to run for re-election.

Republicans have been reluctant to challenge Johnson so far, and the strongest potential candidate, Gov. Mike Rounds, has said he would not run if Johnson ran. Johnson's strongest opponent so far is State Rep. Joel Dykstra, who reported just $37,000 cash on hand at the end of the 3rd Quarter.

Johnson, helped along by Senate colleagues, has already amassed more than $2 million for his re-election bid.