Rep. Markey Not Seeking US Senate Seat

The following is a statement from US Representative Edward Markey’s office:

“I have had the honor to serve the people of the Seventh Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives for 33 years, and am now the eighth most senior Democrat. I believe that my leadership positions and seniority in the House allow me to accomplish more for my Congressional District and for Massachusetts. I have therefore decided not to become a candidate for the Senate.

“I have been humbled by the outpouring of friendship and support that I have received from those who have urged me to enter the Senate race. However, I have concluded that, as the Dean of the Massachusetts and New England House Delegations, as the Chairman of the Select Committee on Energy Independence and Global Warming and the House Energy and Commerce Committee’s Subcommittee on Energy and the Environment, as well as a senior Member of the Natural Resources Committee, I can have the greatest impact on the issues facing the people of our state through my leadership positions in the House.

“There is much important work to get done — fighting to improve the quality and affordability of health care for all, advancing an innovation agenda for the high tech and clean tech sectors that will create American jobs and working to protect our precious planet for generations to come.

“I look forward to working with our House Delegation, Senator Kerry, and our next Senator to assure that though our friend, Ted Kennedy, is no longer with us, Massachusetts continues to have a powerful voice on the issues affecting our nation’s future.”