Embattled U.S. Rep. Ney won't seek re-election

updated 7:39 a.m. ET Aug. 7, 2006

COLUMBUS, Ohio - U.S. Rep. Bob Ney, dogged by an influence peddling probe in Washington, announced Monday that he will not seek re-election.

The Republican had insisted he would not resign, even if indicted over his dealings with now-convicted lobbyist Jack Abramoff. In his first primary test in a decade, Ney won 68 percent of the vote May 2 against a little-known opponent.

But in a statement released by his campaign Monday morning, the six-term congressman from Heath in central Ohio said he would not run for a seventh term.

"Ultimately this decision came down to my family. I must think of them first, and I can no longer put them through this ordeal," Ney said.

He plans to serve the remainder of his term, his statement said.

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