Chellie Pingree, Maine Rep., decides against Senate bid

[brooklynite]

Christian Science Monitor:

Democratic U.S. Rep. Chellie Pingree said Wednesday that she decided against running for the U.S. Senate seat vacated by Republican Olympia Snowe, choosing instead to defend her seat in the House.

Pingree said it was a difficult decision and that she's grateful for the support she's received from across Maine and the country. In the end, she concluded that she can best serve the people of Maine by running for re-election in the U.S. House, she said in a statement.

"Although the prospect of running for and possibly serving in the United States Senate was very exciting, I believe I will best serve he people of Maine by running for re-election to the House," she said. "There is much at stake in this election, and in the end I had to put the best interests of the state and the country ahead of my own."

My DSCC sources say they're not resting on the hope that King, if elected as an Independent, would caucus with the Dems, and are working to identify their own candidate.