WASHINGTON _ Maine Sen. Susan Collins announced Friday morning that she will not run for governor and will instead remain in the Senate.
"I am a congenital optimist, and I continue to believe that Congress can _ and will _ be more productive," Collins said at a Chamber of Commerce breakfast in Rockport, Maine.
"I want to continue to play a key role in advancing policies that strengthen our economy, help our hard-working families, improve our health care system, and bring peace and stability to a violent and troubled world."
"And I have concluded that the best way that I can contribute to these priorities is to remain a member of the United States Senate," Collins said.
The senator's decision had been the subject of much speculation. And as she has for much of the fall, she kept the audience waiting Friday morning.
Collins first defended her votes against recent GOP health care legislation in the Senate, and even after saying she was going to address "the elephant in the room," she went on to explain the merits of either decision.
"The hands-on nature of being governor very much appeals to me," she told the crowd. "I love being in Maine and would love being here in Maine full time."
But she then explained how much seniority she's gained in the Senate.
"When I was sworn in, I was 99th in seniority ... I'm now 15th," Collins said. "My seniority and my persistent advocacy have allowed me to secure funding for important programs."
She cited a letter from a fellow senator urging her to remain the Senate. "The institution would suffer in your absence," Collins read.
"As I thought about this Senator's words, I realized how much remains to be done in a divided and troubled Washington if we are to serve the people of our states," Collins continued.
First elected in 1996, Collins is up for re-election in 2020.
