King confirms he won't run for Senate

Rep. Pete King (R-N.Y.) on Monday reaffirmed his decision not to run for Senate against Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D).

King said he will run for reelection to his seat in the House. 

"More that four months ago I announced that I would not be a candidate for the United States Senate in 2010," King said in a statement. "During the past several weeks, however, a number of state and national leaders — as well as many friends and supporters — asked me to reconsider my decision."

But, after deliberations, King, the top Republican on the House Homeland Security Committee, said he would decline to run.

"While the political situation has changed dramatically in the Republicans’ favor since September and I believe that Sen. Gillibrand can and will be defeated in 2010, I will not be a candidate for the Senate," King said.

He cited two reasons for his decision, reasons he had given in his first move to pass on a Senate run. King said he would not be able to devote the time and resources to fundraising, and he is increasingly confident that Republicans may win back the House, meaning he would have the opportunity to become chairman of the Homeland Security Committee.