In 2010, Rep. Hodes will run for U.S. Senate

Concord – Democratic U.S. Rep. Paul Hodes will announce his candidacy for the U.S. Senate “within the week,” a source close to Hodes told UnionLeader.com this morning shortly before Judd Gregg's nomination as commerce secretary became official.

The developments surrounding that surprising appointment by President Obama “has sped up his timeline and he will make a formal announcement within the week,” the source said.

“We are working on the necessary paperwork,” the source said. “We were not expecting this.”

Gov. John Lynch is expected to name Republican Bonnie Newman as Gregg’s replacement. She is not expected to run for a full term in 2010.

Hodes, a second-term House member, had said earlier this year he was "seriously considering" running, but now, the source said, Hodes has decided to run.

Watch for updates later today on UnionLeader.com and full coverage tomorrow on the New Hampshire Union Leader.