By AP/KWMU
Peoria, ILL. – Next year's race for Illinois Governor will not include Congressman Ray LaHood.
LaHood first suggested he might run in January but said Wednesday he'll instead seek another term in Congress. He's been in Congress 10 years.
The Peoria Republican says former governor Jim Edgar's possible candidacy was a factor in his decision not to run.
When he first discussed the possibility of running, LaHood said he could fix budget woes and what he called a "splintering of the state" through consensus. But he also conceded he wasn't well known outside the 20 counties he represents.
If Edgar does enter the campaign, LaHood said he'll be the Republican nominee and that he's the one who can beat Blagojevich.