We've just learned that this morning, at an RNC breakfast in Minnesota, Senator Sam Brownback confirmed that he will indeed be seeking the Republican Gubernatorial nomination in 2010.

Brownback did so in a room full of KSGOP insiders and reporters.

This confirms what most of us have expected for quite some time - that Sam Brownback will be facing off against Secretary of State Ron Thornburgh, who has already openly declared his candidacy for the nomination.

It will be very interesting to see how this one plays out - Thornburgh, already building bridges throughout the State, will be able to campaign and raise money all over Kansas throughout the next two years.

Brownback, however, won't have that luxury.

First, he is a sitting Senator and will have Senate responsibilities keeping him in Washington from through Election Day. While he typically could take some time off to campaign, he spent much of the last year campaigning throughout the Country during his Presidential bid. For that reason, it's a safe bet that Kansas voters won't give him a whole lot of leeway.

While we're disappointed that the top of our ticket in 2010 will have to survive a competitive primary to make it to the Governor's mansion, we're very pleased that we have two candidates already declared that are far more capable and far more competent than any name appearing on the other side of the ballot.