Oklahoma Senator Tom Coburn, the conservative rock of the Senate GOP, will announce whether or not he’s running for re-election in 2010 on June 1. Coburn is a critically important Senator for conservatives, often called “Dr. No” for his propensity to shut down bad bills, but has not been clear on his intentions to run for re-election, and had, in recent months, indicated that he may decide to hang up his spurs and head back to Oklahoma to be a full time physician again.

As New Ledger’s own Ben Domenech wrote in his March piece, Ex-Senator Trainwreck?, the loss of Coburn would be a huge blow to an already ailing GOP.

In Washington D.C., there is palpable concern among conservative leaders. As the 2010 midterms loom, Republicans are already beset by retirements in several key districts and states. But the loss of Coburn would present a massive loss for grassroots conservatives, even moreso than for the party as a whole. Coburn is one of the most outspoken opponents of pork barrel spending in the chamber, as well as one of the Senate’s most prominent pro-lifers.

At a recent event in New York, the Senator revealed a tease as to what his decision may be.

When asked to give the audience a Web site, Coburn shared his Senate Web site. Then came the teaser.

“I may have a website up for a campaign. I don’t know,” he said.

“I will make an announcement June 1 as to my intentions.”

The feeling among some Oklahoma Republicans is positive, as the Senator has seemed to back off of comments made earlier in the year that his was leaning toward not running. One GOP donor I spoke with today said she thinks Coburn will end up deciding to run. The Tulsa World was reporting earlier today that Coburn’s election website had a message posted saying, “More information coming to this site soon!” but currently the site seems to be down.

Coburn’s June 1 announcement will come just after another Republican in Oklahoma makes his political intentions known. Earlier this month Former Congressman J.C. Watts announced that he was considering getting in the 2010 race for Governor. It could shape up to be an exciting few weeks in Oklahoma’s GOP if Watts jumps in the Governor’s race and Coburn decides to run again for Senate, however, if Coburn does indeed decide to step down, look for a free for all for his Senate seat that might see current Oklahoma Governor Brad Henry, a Democrat, push his way to the top of race.