Rossi again denies he'll run against Cantwell, sends letter to Dole

Rossi makes it clear again that he isn't running, for any of you skeptics still out there (we have always maintained he wouldn't do it):

Seattle, WA – Dino Rossi will not be a candidate for the United States Senate in the 2006 campaign.

In a letter sent today to Sen. Elizabeth Dole (R-NC), who chairs the National Republican Senatorial Committee, Rossi explained that he and his wife Terry do not want to disrupt their young family and that he is focused on improving Washington state from home, not from Washington, D.C.

“A recent poll indicated that I have a 12-point lead over the incumbent,” Rossi wrote to Dole.

“It is flattering to be considered and it would be an honor to serve Washington in the U.S. Senate. However, there are two problems I don’t believe can be overcome.

“The first is the effect it would have on my family. My wife and I have four children aged 14 to four, and at this point in their lives it would be very difficult and disruptive to move them across the country.

Second, I’m not sure how I can solve the problems I’m focused on – making our state a better place to do business and improving opportunities for the people of Washington – from the U.S. Senate. Right now I’m committed to turning this state around, and I need to stay here to accomplish that goal. For these reasons, I will not run for U.S. Senate in 2006.

Typical Rossi, but there you have it. He's sent a formal letter trying to make it clear he won't challenge Cantwell.

Rossi was the most formidable potential challenger the GOP could have sent up in 2006, at least according to current polls, and without him, the GOP will have a difficult time trying to unseat Cantwell.