Democratic Congresswoman Chellie Pingree has decided against a run for the U.S. Senate seat vacated by Republican Olympia Snowe, choosing to defend her seat in the U.S. House.
Pingree said Wednesday that it was a difficult decision and that she's grateful for the "tremendous support" she's received from people all across Maine and the country. In the end, she said, she concluded that she can best serve the people of Maine by running for re-election in the House.
Snowe announced last week she won't seek a fourth term.
If Pingree had run for Senate, she would've faced longtime friend, popular former Gov. Angus King, who announced he's running as an independent, in addition to a Republican challenger. Another Democrat, former two-term Gov. John Baldacci, is weighing a decision whether to run.
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