Sen. Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) plans to announce next week that he will be a candidate for re-election in 2008, according to informed Republican sources.

There was some speculation that Alexander might not seek a second term after he narrowly lost a bid to become Minority Whip in the wake of GOP losses in November.

But more recently there has been little question that Alexander would run again.

Alexander is an ally of Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), who helped to ease the blow of his leadership defeat by giving him a plum seat on the Appropriations Committee.

Former Tennessee Democratic Party Chairman Bob Tuke has been mentioned as a possible opponent to Alexander, but the Senator is currently not viewed as vulnerable to a competitive challenge.

— Lauren W. Whittington