Sen. Tom Coburn (R-Okla.) announced this morning in Tulsa that he will in fact run next year for a second term, mulitple news outlets report. A practicing physician known to despise the free-spending ways of Washington, it had been rumored Coburn was leaning toward retirement.

"This decision has been difficult for me, my wife and our family," Coburn said. "I don't like being away from Oklahoma and my medical practice, nor do I like asking my loved ones to make sacrifices. I also don't particularly like Washington, DC."

His decision to run may dissaude some high-profile Democrats, not to mention Republicans, from running for the post. All eyes will likely remain, though, on Gov. Brad Henry (D), who's term-limited and the Democrats' best chance at defeating Coburn.

A recent PPP survey found Coburn with a 59 percent approval rating and leading Henry by 12 points.