A veteran legislator from El Paso who fueled speculation that he was considering a bid for governor says he will not seek statewide office in 2010.
State Sen. Eliot Shapleigh in October announced he would not seek re-election, but he declined to rule out a run for higher office.
The 57-year-old Democrat on Monday said he would not be on the ballot next year.
The El Paso Times reports Shapleigh said he considered running for governor, but changed his mind once Houston Mayor Bill White this month announced for the Democratic nomination.
Shapleigh, who has been a critic of GOP Gov. Rick Perry, says White can win.
Copyright AP - Associated Press
