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Salazar won't run for Colo. governor

Interior Secretary Ken Salazar says he won't leave the cabinet to run for governor of Colorado.
Image: Salazar Testifies Before Senate Indian Affairs Committee
Interior Secretary Ken Salazar says he will not leave his post in Washington to run for governor in Colorado. Mark Wilson / Getty Images
/ Source: msnbc.com staff and news service reports

Interior Secretary Ken Salazar says he won't leave the cabinet to run for governor of Colorado.

"I have a job to do as Secretary of the Interior to implement President Obama's vision for a clean energy economy and to better protect America's great outdoors," said the Democratic former senator in a statement.

Some Democrats wanted Salazar to return to Colorado to seek the office being vacated by Gov. Bill Ritter, who announced Wednesday he will not seek re-election.

Salazar endorsed Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper to be the new Democratic candidate, calling him a "uniter" who would make "an excellent Governor" if he decides to run.

Two Republicans are seeking the seat, including former U.S. Rep. Scott McInnis.