Rep. Paul Hodes, a Concord Democrat who was sworn in for his second congressional term a month ago, said yesterday that he will run for the Senate next year.

Hodes's announcement came in the middle of a tumultuous week in state politics. On Tuesday, President Obama nominated Sen. Judd Gregg, a Republican, to serve as secretary of commerce. Hours later, Democratic Gov. John Lynch said he would appoint Bonnie Newman, a Republican businesswoman and educator, to fill out the rest of Gregg's term. Newman said she would not run for election when the term expires in 2010.

Hodes had been rumored to be considering a Senate run for months, but news of Gregg's impending departure spurred him to announce his plans yesterday, he said.

"The opportunity is now, and I thought it would be appropriate to be straight, direct and open with the people of New Hampshire about my intentions," Hodes said in a telephone interview from Washington. "Now that I've announced, I can really put politics aside and really focus on my job as congressman."

Democrats had made it clear they would make Gregg a target for defeat in 2010. Gregg, who has also served as congressman and governor, was bound to be a tough opponent. He has never lost a state election. But with no incumbent now defending the seat in 2010, the chances for a Democratic victory have improved considerably, said Dean Spiliotes, a political analyst at nhpoliticalcapital.com.

Spiliotes said Hodes announced his candidacy so early for two likely reasons: to dissuade other Democrats from entering the race and to encourage donors to rally around him sooner rather than later.

"If you simply get out of the gate early, that may act as a disincentive to other people who may run against you in a primary," Spiliotes said. "And you can raise money and garner support from political elites in the state and nationally. You have the potential to build an air of inevitability around yourself as the nominee."

As of the end of December, Hodes had about $56,000 in his campaign account, according to records with the Federal Election Commission.

Rep. Carol Shea-Porter, a Rochester Democrat who represents the state's other congressional district, has also been rumored to be considering a Senate bid. A call to her office was not returned last night.

Spiliotes said Republicans will have to decide whether to nominate an experienced, well-known candidate or use the Senate race as an opportunity to showcase a new face for the party. Among the Republicans named as possible candidates are former senator John Sununu, who was defeated by Democrat Jeanne Shaheen last year, and Charlie Bass, a former congressman who was ousted from office by Hodes in 2006. Bass said he is considering running for the Senate, Congress or the governor's office next year. Manchester Mayor Frank Guinta has also been mentioned as a possible candidate for federal office.

With the 2nd Congressional District seat now officially open for 2010, names of potential candidates are circulating in both parties. Among Democrats, state Senate President Sylvia Larsen, Executive Councilor Deb Pignatelli and Concord attorney Ann McLane Kuster have been mentioned as possible candidates. Kuster said she is "seriously considering" a run for Congress but said she would wait to see how the field of candidates shaped up before making a decision.

Katrina Swett, a Bow Democrat who ran for Congress in 2002 and in 2007 mounted a brief campaign for Senate, said she is also leaning toward running for Congress again next year. Swett, who teaches political science at Tufts University, has more than $900,000 remaining in her old campaign account.

Republican Jennifer Horn, who lost to Hodes last year, is "seriously considering another run" for the seat, according to spokesman Matt Wylie.

"She's going to talk to supporters and make the right decision and not just jump in because of the excitement of the time," Wylie said.

State Sen. Bob Odell, a Republican from Lempster, has also been mentioned as a possible candidate for the seat.

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