Gov. Jeb Bush won't run for Senate in 2010

Former Florida governor is ending speculation of another Bush in D.C.

NBC Video: Politics

Gore vs. Palin on climate change
Dec. 9: Sarah Palin wrote an Op-Ed in the Washington Post urging President Barack Obama to boycott the Climate Change Summit in Copenhagen. Former Vice President Al Gore characterized her essay as indicative of and “era of unreality.” The Nation’s Chris Hayes discusses.

Bush administration gets away with torture

Progressives react to compromise

Facing the public option’s demise

Gore, Palin share heated exchange

Conserv. Blog Buzz: Hot and cold

Sanford escapes impeachment in SC

Progressives give deal a thumbs down

Slideshow

The Week in Political Cartoons
Msnbc.com’s political cartoonists take a look back at the past week.

more photos

updated 3:55 p.m. ET Jan. 6, 2009

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - Former Gov. Jeb Bush says he won't run for the U.S. Senate in 2010 to replace the retiring Mel Martinez.

Bush made the announcement Tuesday, saying "now is not the right time to return to elected office."

The president's younger brother served as governor of Florida from 1999-2007 and remains a popular figure in the state. His announcement clears the field for several other potential Republican candidates who had said they wouldn't challenge him.

Story continues below ↓

advertisement | your ad here

Bush won bipartisan praise for leading the state through eight hurricanes over a two-year period. He used standardized testing to overhaul the education system, was credited with making government more efficient and lowered taxes.

Martinez announced last month that he wouldn't seek a second six-year term.