State Sen. Spencer Coggs says he will not run for the fourth Congressional District seat now held by Cong. Gerald Kleczka, who is retiring.

Coggs cited commitment to the voters of his district that voted for him in a recall election several months ago, which ousted long-time senator Gary George, as the reason for not seeking the office.

"I am humbled by the support and encouragement expressed by so many people throughout Milwaukee," Coggs said in a news statement.

"But I feel at this time that the best way to serve my community is to continue serving as a state senator."

Coggs admitted he seriously considered running for the congressional seat ever since Kleczka announced he would not seek reelection at the end of his current term.

Coggs said he is currently committed to two important projects that will greatly benefit Milwaukeeans.

One is producing jobs for the community and ensuring the participation of minority owned contractors in the $890 million Marquette Interchange reconstruction project, which Coggs said, is at a critical juncture.

The state senator said he is fully committed to the success of this endeavor.

Coggs also cited his efforts to settle the question of outstanding rent with the city of Milwaukee for the benefit of the patients of the Isaac Coggs Community Health Center.

"The Coggs Community Health Center and its sister clinic, the Martin Luther King Heritage Health Center, serve 20,000 resident on Milwaukee’s Northside, most of whom are uninsured or underinsured," the senator said.

"These are obligations that I am devoted to seeing through to a successful resolution."

Corey Hoze, former regional director for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services under HHS Secretary Tommy Thompson, and State Sen. Gwendolyn Moore has announced their candidacy for the congressional seat.

The fourth district was restructured following the 2000 census. It covers most of Milwaukee and its eastern suburbs. It is the only district that a Black candidate could conceivably win a congressional seat. The district has over 230,000 African Americans.