Updated at 1:09 p.m.

JEFFERSON CITY | Just when Roy Blunt thought the coast was clear, here comes Chuck Purgason.

Purgason, a Republican state senator from Caulfield, announced late yesterday that he is forming an exploratory committee for the U.S. Senate seat Kit Bond will vacate in 2010.

Blunt, a Republican congressman from Springfield, announced his candidacy for the seat months ago, and just this month worked a deal to get his one announced primary opponent, Tom Schweich, out of the race. Former state Treasurer Sarah Steelman is said to be considering a run as well.

Secretary of State Robin Carnahan is the Democrats' candidate.

Purgason, known for his country-western fashion sense and iron-clad fiscal conservatism, was elected to a secord term in the state Senate last year and previously served four terms in the House.

(The press release announcing his exploratory committee incorrectly states he was elected to the Senate in 2002. It was 2004.)

In the statement, Purgason expressed concern for the direction the country was headed under Democratic leadership.

"We cannot stand by silently and allow our government to squander away the future of our children and grandchildren through reckless borrowing and spending," he said in the statement. "We must stop the 'changing' of America and fight for the renewal of America and the dreams we share as Americans."

He's also set up a Web site. After two (two!) erroneous Web urls sent to reporters via e-mail and fax, Purgason has finally broadcast the correct one. It can be visited here. Keepthechange2010.org and keepyourchange.org apparently have nothing to do with Purgason's nascent Senate campaign.