Bob Kerrey Won't Run for Senate

Oct 24, 03:09 PM

Current Headlines: By Jake Thompson, Omaha World-Herald, Neb.

Oct. 24--WASHINGTON -- Former U.S. Sen. Bob Kerrey said today that he won't try to return to the Senate next year, calling it "a decision I'm making with regret."

The Democrat said he doesn't think that a bid to replace retiring Republican Sen. Chuck Hagel would be the right thing at this time for his family.

Kerrey, the president of the New School university in New York City, and his wife, Sarah, have a 6-year-old son. He said he didn't want to uproot them and believes he still has unfinished work at the school.

"I walked Henry to school today and I walked to work, and I'll be there when he gets home tonight. It's a very stable family situation," Kerrey said.

Kerrey, 64, also a former Nebraska governor, served two terms in the Senate. He was first elected in 1988 and re-elected in 1994.

He has been flirting with a possible candidacy for weeks and said today that he was attracted to the idea of being able to provide a "moderate, clear voice" and leadership on issues such as national security, Social Security and health care.

He also liked the idea of resuming work on Nebraska projects.

"It's been hard to say no," he said.

In a statement posted on the New School's Web site, Kerrey admitted that he "nearly said yes to leaving."

"I am deeply troubled about the direction of our country. And the idea of returning home to Nebraska to lead a political campaign based on a promise to do my part to change the direction was very appealing," he said.

"I love Nebraska and believe in public service. I have not given up on politics or democracy simply because both have been debased in recent years by money, corruption and personal weakness."

Kerrey began considering another Senate bid even before Hagel's Sept. 10 retirement announcement, saying he thought Hagel planned to step down after two terms.

Since then, Kerrey had consulted with a number of Nebraska and national Democratic figures about what he might do.

But Kerrey said he tried during that process to leave "a strong impression my decision would be 'No.'"

Even so, the more he considered running again, the more it appealed to him.

"It'd have been a fun race," he said. "We've got to build this country up. I would promise moderation. I would promise leadership."

Still, he never overcame his concern about causing turmoil for his family and the New School.

"It'd be easier if they fired me," he said. "I'd have to quit this job, and it's not quite finished. At the moment, I don't want to do that intentionally."

The New School is constructing a 500,000-square-foot building that will give it more of a presence in New York City, a project Kerrey said he wants to see to completion.

Turning to home, he said his wife accepted the idea he might run -- and was prepared to support him -- but her preference was for him to bypass the race.

"Sarah likes the idea of being in Nebraska and knows the schools are better," he said. "But she's a very private person and Henry's her only child."

Had he run, Kerrey said, he would have expected to face Republican Mike Johanns in the general election. The former governor, who recently stepped down as U.S. agriculture secretary, faces two other Republicans in the primary, Attorney General Jon Bruning and Schuyler businessman Pat Flynn.

"(Johanns) and I are friends," Kerrey said. "But there's a clear difference between the two of us."

Kerrey also said he remains interested in public life. He said "it's possible" that he might accept an administration position if offered one by the next president.

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