Rep. Pete Hoekstra announced Monday morning that he will not run for re-election in 2010. In a message titled “Christmas Greetings” on his campaign Web site, the Michigan Republican said he is looking for “new challenges.”

“We would like to let you personally know that we have decided that this past election will signify my last term in the House of Representatives,” Hoekstra writes. “In 2010 it will be time for us to move on to new challenges.”

Hoekstra, 55, has publicly discussed an interest in running for governor of Michigan in 2010, when Gov. Jennifer Granholm (D) is term-limited out of office. In his cheerful message to constituents, he again expressed his interest in the statewide office.

“New opportunities and challenges await us,” Hoekstra writes. “As I may have discussed with some of you one path I am seriously considering is running for governor. That is only one of several paths that Diane and I will consider.”

If Hoekstra runs for governor, he would almost certainly have at least one Republican primary opponent: State Attorney General Mike Cox has already formed an exploratory committee for the office, plus Michigan Secretary of State Terri Lynn Land is also said to be interested in running for the job.

Hoekstra’s 2nd district leans Republican and will likely not feature a competitive general election race in 2010, even in the wake of the nine-term Congressman’s retirement. There could, however, be a crowded GOP primary to replace him.