WASHINGTON (NEWS CENTER) -- Two days after former Maine governor Angus King entered the race to fill outgoing Senator Olympia Snowe's seat, Representative Chellie Pingree has decided not to run for that Senate seat, as well; but, instead, try to win back the congressional seat she now holds.
Pingree announced her decision through an email sent to news agencies at noon today. There was much speculation over what Pingree would do once King entered the race. Her withdrawal leaves only former Maine Secretary of State Matt Dunlap as the only democrat in the Senate race. However, there is still a chance former Maine governor John Baldacci will enter.
The following is Congresswoman Pingree's entire press statement:
"After careful consideration I have decided to run for re-election to the U.S. House this year. This has been a very difficult decision and I will always be grateful for the tremendous support I've received from people all across Maine and around the country. I have been humbled by the enthusiastic encouragement I've gotten-from my neighbors here in Maine to my colleagues in Washington.
There is much at stake in this election and although the prospect of running for and possibly serving in the United States Senate was very exciting, in the end I concluded that I will best serve the people of Maine by running for re-election to the House."
NEWS CENTER