Despite a story in the Capitol Hill newspaper Roll Call, Sen. Chuck Hagel has not determined his 2008 political plans, his spokesman said Tuesday.
“Senator Hagel hasn’t made up his mind,” said Mike Buttry. “Those close to him don’t know what he’s going to do.”
Hagel has indicated he’s likely to make his decision within the next two weeks.
Roll Call reported Tuesday that Hagel has assured the National Republican Senatorial Committee he intends to seek re-election next year if he forgoes a presidential bid.
Hagel could meet Nebraska’s filing deadline to transition to a Senate re-election race in 2008 if a presidential bid faltered in early primary and caucus states, the Roll Call story noted.
“Sources familiar with Hagel’s thinking say the senator has no desire to exit elective office in 2008, and they expect him to run for re-election to the Senate if his prospective bid for the Republican presidential nomination falls short,” Roll Call reported.
Hagel has said he’ll decide soon whether to pursue the GOP presidential nomination, seek re-election or leave elective office at the end of his Senate term.
