Lt. Gen. Ricardo Sanchez Will Not Run For Senate

Earlier this year we reported that Lt. Gen. Ricardo S. Sanchez would seek the Democratic nomination for Senate in Texas to replace Republican Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison. In an email to supporters Friday, Sanchez said he would not seek the office after all:

Lt. Gen. Ricardo S. Sanchez (U.S. Army, Ret.) today announced that he will not file for the 2012 Democratic Party nomination for the United States Senate from Texas.  His statement is below:

“I am very grateful for the strong support and encouragement I have received from supporters across the country and the wonderful Texans I have met in every part of our great state. However, pressing personal challenges, coupled with the recent loss of our home due to fire and lagging fundraising numbers make a statewide election campaign impractical for me at this time.

“After extensive consultation with my family, Maria Elena and I have decided to put family first and I will therefore end my campaign for the 2012 U.S. Senate seat as of today.

“I am blessed to have made friends with so many great Texans on this journey.  Their personal stories and their love for our homeland will continue to inspire me as I look ahead and consider future opportunities for public service.  I remain steadfast in the desire to serve both my country and the State of Texas to help bring new, responsible, and fair-minded leadership to our government.