Secretary of State Robin Carnahan (D) would enter the 2010 Senate race with a small edge over her potential Republican competitors, according to recent poll results.

Sen. Kit Bond (R) announced last week that he plans to retire in 2010, setting the stage for another competitive Senate race in the Show Me State.

In a head-to-head hypothetical matchup, Carnahan led Rep. Roy Blunt (R) 45 percent to 44 percent in a survey conducted by Public Policy Polling. Carnahan also led former Sen. Jim Talent (R) 47 percent to 43 percent, and she led former state Treasurer Sarah Steelman (R) 47 percent to 36 percent in a hypothetical horse race.

Neither Carnahan, Blunt, Steelman nor Talent has publicly announced a Senate bid, but well-placed Missouri sources say all of them are seriously considering running for Bond’s seat.

The automated poll surveyed 867 voters in Missouri from Jan. 10 to 11 and had a margin of error of 3.3 points.