Governor James Douglas says he will not be a candidate for the U.S. Senate next year.
A possible Douglas run had been a subject of intense speculation in the days since Senator James Jeffords announced he would not seek a fourth Senate term next year.
Douglas called that speculation an unfortunate distraction from the work he’s trying to do in Montpelier.
Douglas made his announcement Saturday at the University of Vermont in Burlington.
He used the occasion of the announcement of his political plans to deliver a list of goals and accomplishments as governor.
Douglas says ambitious politicians with their eye on his office should know he wants to remain governor for awhile.