Lt. Gov. Peter Kinder has decided not to run for a southeast Missouri congressional seat next year.
Kinder announced his decision in a written statement Friday, about a month after he publicly said he was considering a congressional bid.
A campaign would have meant a primary challenge against Republican U.S. Rep. Jason Smith, who won a special election for the 8th Congressional District in June.
Kinder noted in his statement that campaigns can be physically, mentally and emotionally exhausting. He said, quote: "An all-out run for Congress over the next year just isn't in the cards."
