Former Democratic U.S. Sen. Mark Begich said Thursday he won't run for the seat held by Republican U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski.
Begich this month said he was being asked to launch a write-in campaign after Joe Miller, the Republican-turned-Libertarian, announced his own last-minute candidacy.
But Begich, calling into the talk radio show hosted by Rick Rydell, said Thursday that he wouldn't seek Murkowski's seat.
Begich said he was "surprised and honored" by the number of people who urged him to consider a write-in campaign.
But, he added: "I feel like it's not the right time for me and my family."
Begich was asked by Rydell if he was endorsing one of the current U.S. Senate candidates, but Begich didn't directly answer the question.