Arizona's 2010 landscape just got a little more interesting with the retirement of Congressman John Shadegg.

The Fix reports:

"Representing the people of Arizona in the House has been one of the greatest privileges of my life," Shadegg said in a statement. "And, while it would be difficult to leave this position at any time, it is particularly hard to do so now with the challenges we face as a nation, but it is necessary for me to do so."

This is the second time in as many election cycles that Shadegg has retired. In February 2008 he announced he would be leaving the House after seven terms only to revisit that decision days later. He went on to win re-election against a well-funded Democratic opponent by 12 points.

Shadegg has long coveted a spot in the Senate and was widely seen as at the front of the line in the event Sen. John McCain (Ariz.) had been elected president in 2008. His 3rd district, which takes in much of Phoenix's northern suburbs, gave native son McCain a 14 point margin in 2008 and went for President George W. Bush by 17 points four years earlier.