Rep. Peter Hoekstra of Michigan reportedly won’t run for re-election in 2010. Apparently, the Republican is mulling a run for governor of the Wolverine State.

Hoekstra has long been one of the most vocal opponents on the House Education and Labor Committee—and in Congress—of the No Child Left Behind Act’s expansion of federal power over public schools. Last year, he introduced a bill that would have permitted states to opt out of NCLB’s accountability requirements and managed to get more than 60 co-sponsors, including the incoming Republican whip, Rep. Eric Cantor of Virginia.

Looks like the scale-back-the-federal-role crowd will need a new champion after 2010. But, judging from that lengthy list of co-sponsors of Hoekstra’s bill, there are plenty of potential takers.