SPRINGFIELD - Although the partisan makeup of the Illinois Senate wasn't altered after Tuesday's voting, the General Assembly's upper chamber will be a vastly different place in January.

On Tuesday, 19 days after suffering a stroke, Senate Minority Leader Frank Watson, R-Greenville, announced he would not seek re-election to a third term as head of the GOP caucus.

Watson's decision comes as Democrats in the chamber also are undergoing a power shift. Senate President Emil Jones, D-Chicago, earlier announced his retirement, and his top lieutenant, Senate Majority Leader Debbie Halvorson of Crete, is heading to Congress as the new 11th Congressional District representative.

Whoever wins the scramble for power will see a Senate that continues to have 37 Democrats and 22 Republicans, despite an expensive push by both parties to get more of their own members into seats.

On the Republican side, there are three or four Senators who may be interested in the top post. Among them are state Sens. Dale Righter of Mattoon, Christine Radogno of Lemont and Kirk Dillard of Hinsdale.

"I'm leaving the door open to this," Righter said.

State Sen. John Jones, R-Mount Vernon, said whoever members choose as their leader must be prepared to point Republicans toward "better things" in the 2010 election.

"We need to add to our numbers and get a Republican governor elected," said Jones, who is not interested in the minority leader's position.

State Sen. Dan Rutherford, R-Chenoa, said Watson's positive leadership style will be missed and that he would not actively be courting the leader's job.

"The next person in that role should be whoever is best to be the face of the Republican Party," Rutherford said.

State Sen. Bill Brady, R-Bloomington, said he's more interested in becoming governor in 2010 than serving as minority leader.

"I don't think I can give it the time it deserves and run for higher office," Brady said.

Watson, 63, notified his colleagues of his decision Tuesday. He has served in the General Assembly since 1979 and been the top Republican in the Senate for five years.

He suffered a stroke Oct. 17 while campaigning in Southern Illinois and has been in a St. Louis-area rehabilitation center for two weeks.

He was unopposed for re-election Tuesday.

On the Democratic side, Jones' retirement has triggered a high-stakes fight for the Senate president's job. Democratic state Sens. James Clayborne of Belleville, John Cullerton of Chicago and Jeff Schoenberg of Evanston are vying for the post.

kurt.erickson@lee.net|789-0865