Rep. Giffords' husband rules out 2012 run for her seat

FILE: Rep. Gabrielle Giffords with her husband, NASA astronaut Mark Kelly, before the January shooting. (AP Photo/Office of Rep. Gabrielle Giffords)

LINCOLN, Neb. – The husband of Arizona Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords says he has ruled out running for her seat in 2012.

Retired NASA astronaut Mark Kelly reiterated to an audience at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln on Monday night that he won't seek the seat.

He said, "I think Gabby's staff made it very clear to the Arizona newspapers when they said he will not be a candidate for Congress in 2012."

But Kelly left open a window to seek public office later, after focusing on his wife's recovery. He said her recovery is his goal now.

Giffords was shot in the head and wounded just over a year ago in an assassination attempt in Tucson, Ariz.

She announced Sunday that she was resigning from Congress to focus on her recovery.