Russ Feingold plans to sit out 2012

MILWAUKEE, Aug. 19 (UPI) -- Former U.S. Sen. Russ Feingold told supporters Friday he has no plans to run for office in Wisconsin next year.

Feingold, a Democrat, sent an e-mail message saying he wants to continue teaching at Marquette Law School, where he is a full-time professor, and to finish a book on the response to the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported. He also heads a political committee, Progressives United.

"While I may seek elective office again someday, I have decided not to run for public office during 2012," Feingold said.

Feingold lost his Senate seat in the Republican groundswell of 2010 after three terms. In his e-mail, he remarked he had been in public office for 28 years and was enjoying "life as a private citizen."

"I have found the past eight months to be an opportunity to look at things from a different perspective," he said.

Sen. Herbert Kohl, D-Wis., plans to step down next year instead of running for a fifth term. Democrats in Wisconsin are also considering a recall challenge to Gov. Scott Walker.

A recent poll of possible candidates from both parties for the Senate seat found Feingold was the "best-known and best-liked" of the group and was the Democrat who performed the best against possible Republicans.