Democrat Alex Sink, who lost to Republican David Jolly in a special election for Florida's 13th District in March, announced on Tuesday she will not run for the seat again, POLITICO reported.
"I am so honored and humbled by the outpouring of support our campaign received, but after reflection with my family, I have made a personal decision not to run for the 13th Congressional District seat in the 2014 election," Sink said in a statement. "... I look forward to finding new, rewarding avenues where I can continue to effectively serve the people of Florida."
Sink added she "remain[s] totally convinced" that the seat could be won by a Democrat this fall and is willing to help the next Democratic nominee.
On March 11, Jolly defeated Sink by two points in the election to fill the seat of the late Republican Rep. C.W. "Bill" Young.
U.S. Rep. Steve Israel (D-NY), chairman of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, thanked Sink for her effort and said he is "confident" that a Democrat can win the seat in November.
"I commend Alex Sink for her strong campaign, which truly reflected her career of passionate service to Florida's families, and I know she will continue to make significant contributions to her community," he said. "Pinellas residents have voted time and again for common-sense solutions instead of reckless partisanship, which is why we are confident our Democratic nominee can prevail on Election Day."
After Sink's loss, Israel expressed his hope for Sink to run again in the fall and promised Democrats would "do everything, I mean everything, to support in that endeavor."
"I hope she will, because of this. This district will be competitive in November," Israel said on MSNBC's "Daily Rundown" last month. "This district in a regular election, not a special election in the midterm, but even a regular midterm election, will be in play. We feel good about our prospects here. And I hope that she does run again, because she did an extraordinary job."
Democrats have until May 2 to file a candidate in the race against Jolly.
