Former Sen. George Allen (R-Va.) announced Tuesday that he will not run for his state’s governorship in 2009, ending speculation about a return to the office he held prior to his term in the Senate.

“We will always fondly recall our time in the Governor’s Mansion as an unparalleled honor and a period of historic initiatives and transformational accomplishments for Virginians,” Allen said. “Yet, as we look forward, we are excited about other significant ways we can serve and contribute outside of elected office. Therefore, I will not be a candidate for governor in 2009.”

Allen said he will continue to work in the public sphere. He fell to now-Sen. Jim Webb (D) by fewer than 10,000 votes out of more than 2 million cast in 2006.

“Republican leadership in our state has initiated far-reaching positive changes and we have joined with forward-thinking people from across party lines to make Virginia a better place to live, work, learn and raise a family,” he said. “I am pleased to have been able to be a part of that progress.”