Chicago ? Embattled Sen. Roland Burris may have relieved Illinois Democrats of their biggest political headache and reduced Republican chances of capturing a valuable Senate seat next year by announcing Friday he won’t run for a full term. Still, his withdrawal sets the stage for a major clash of political forces in 2010.

Democrats no longer have to worry about a messy primary battle focused on Burris accepting his seat from former Gov. Rod Blagojevich, now removed from office and facing multiple corruption charges. And Republicans won’t have a chance to run against the tainted appointee.

Even so, Republicans who run are sure to campaign against the scandals surrounding Blagojevich in this Democrat-controlled state.