ST. LOUIS • After Missouri Secretary of State Robin Carnahan lost her bid for U.S. Senate last year by a wide margin, many within her party wondered whether she would have the desire to run another statewide campaign to keep her current job in Jefferson City.

Those questions only grew after Carnahan raised hardly a penny in her re-election fund.

On Friday, after months of insisting she was only seeking to give her donors a break, Carnahan confirmed what Democrats had already suspected: That she would not be seeking a third term in 2012.

"Without question, serving the state and people that I love has been the honor of my life," Carnahan said in a statement. "But after careful reflection, I’ve decided not to run for a 3rd term as Secretary of State."

Carnahan did not indicate what her next move will be, only that she will return to private life after her term ends in 15 months.

Carnahan's decision, in addition to creating a coveted open-seat in Jefferson City, also reflects her family's gradual ebb from the ranks of power in Missouri politics.

Carnahan's brother, U.S. Rep. Russ Carnahan, is weighing his options after his seat was eliminated in redistricting.

Both siblings grew up watching their father Mel's long career in elected office, which ended tragically in 2000 when he was killed, along with their brother Randy, in a plane crash while campaign for U.S. Senate against John Ashcroft.

On Friday, Russ Carnahan issued a statement saying he was "tremendously proud" of his sister — though he made clear he is not interested in running to replace her.

"I remain focused on representing the St. Louis region," Carnahan said.

However, the Secretary of State's race is expected to attract renewed interest now that the incumbent is not running.

The timing of Carnahan's announcment — the last day of the fundraising quarter — gives potential successors a fresh quarter to begin raising money.

State Rep. Jason Kander, a Democrat from Kansas City, announced his intention to run for Secretary of State about 30 minutes after Carnahan's announced she would not be.

On the Republican side, Carnahan's departure from the race could convince State Rep. John Diehl, a former elections official in St. Louis County, to enter the race.

Two Republicans have previously entered the race: State Sens. Scott Rupp, of Wentzville, and Bill Stouffer, of Saline County. 

Robin Carnahan's decision does not mean she is out of politics for good. In her statement Friday, she said her future "could include running for elected office again."

Carnahan's re-election fund still has $210,000 on hand. And, on Tuesday, her family will be right back in the political spotlight: Her brother Tom will be hosting a $25,000 a person fundraiser at his home near Forest Park for President Barack Obama.