Ridge Decides Not to Run for Specter's Senate Seat

Tom Ridge will not try to challenge Sen. Arlen Specter for his Pennsylvania Senate seat, the former homeland security secretary and Pennsylvania governor announced Thursday.

Ridge released a written statement saying he will not seek the GOP nomination for the seat, despite prior speculation that he was preparing to run in light of Specter's switch to the Democratic Party.

"After careful consideration and many conversations with friends and family and the leadership of my party, I have decided not to seek the Republican nomination for Senate," Ridge said.

A recent Quinnipiac University poll showed Ridge virtually tied with Specter in a hypothetical general election match-up.

Ridge said in his statement that his decision not to run was "difficult and deeply personal."

"The 2010 race has significant implications for my party, and that required thoughtful reflection," he said. Ridge said he hopes to help his party "craft solutions that both sides of the aisle can embrace."

Sen. John Cornyn, chairman of the National Republican Senatorial Committee, told FOX News that Ridge's decision is a "disappointment" since Republicans believed he could easily defeat Specter. The Texas Republican said Ridge called him Thursday to inform him of his decision, which he said was based on business and family commitments.

Specter, however, could have at least one challenger in the Democratic primary.

Rep. Joe Sestak, a former Navy vice admiral, says he's seriously considering challenging Specter in next year's  primary.

Sestak told The Associated Press Thursday he's concerned that Washington's Democratic establishment has picked a candidate who may not be the best for the party's voters in Pennsylvania. The suburban Philadelphia congressman says he has concerns about Specter's voting record -- particularly his recent vote against the Democratic-backed budget.

He says Specter's decision to break with the Republican Party and become a Democrat moved him closer to running. He anticipates a decision in the coming weeks.

Sestak was elected to Congress in 2006. Earlier, he commanded an aircraft carrier battle group in Afghanistan.

FOX News' Carl Cameron and The Associated Press contributed to this report.