State lawmaker Randy Friese (D-Tucson) yesterday put to rest rumors that he was considering a run for Congresswoman Martha McSally's seat.

"I have made the decision to stay in the Arizona House of Representatives and keep working to bring people together right here to solve problems for Arizonans," Friese told supporters in an email.

With Bruce Wheeler bowing out of the race earlier this week, that leave Friese's seatmate, State Rep. Victoria Steele, as the only candidate who announced that she is exploring the Congressional District 2 seat. Other potential candidates who may attempt to unseat the freshman Republican include former state lawmaker Matt Heinz and former DC attorney and current pecan farmer Nan Walden.

Here's Friese's full statement:

   This past November, I was honored and humbled to be selected by the voters of Legislative District 9 to serve in the Arizona House of Representatives. Despite being in the minority and seeing legislation pass with little to no consideration of minority opinions, I thrived on the challenges during the session. I served in the Navy and work in a trauma center, so confronting challenges and solving problems motivate me, and always have. I enjoyed debating bills, finding common ground to improve legislation, and working with sensible Republicans to stop extreme proposals.

But after my friend Ron Barber decided not pursue another congressional term, many local and national Democratic leaders encouraged me to run for Congress. I promised to do my due diligence and, over the course of several weeks, had many conversations with members of Arizona's congressional delegation and national congressional leadership. Their insights were valuable and it was a great honor to receive so much support and encouragement.

The path to victory was real and the opportunity to go to Congress to solve problems and work with our delegation to get the results we need in Arizona was very attractive.

However, after much consideration, I could not shake the feeling that I would be leaving the legislature with so much unfinished work. Arizona, in my opinion, is on the cusp of change - a change toward a more inclusive and innovative approach to governance.

We have a tremendous opportunity to make changes in the way we approach public policy in Arizona and that begins with electing more common sense problem solvers to the legislature. I want to work to make that happen and be a leader for change right here in Arizona. It won't happen right away but that's the challenge I am motivated to take on.

I have made the decision to stay in the Arizona House of Representatives and keep working to bring people together right here to solve problems for Arizonans.

Thank you for all your support and encouragement and I look forward to continuing my service to you.

Respectfully Submitted,

Representative Randall Friese, MD