Former senator Russ Feingold will not be a candidate for any office next year. As Reuters notes, this decision “takes him out of the running for senator, or governor if Democrats force a recall against Republican incumbent Scott Walker.”

In a statement to supporters on the Progressives United website, Feingold said he wanted to devote himself full-time to teaching at Marquette University Law School.
He also has been writing a book about his view that the nation has lost its way in responding to the September 11 attacks.
Feingold called the decision “difficult” and said he knows progressives are eager to reverse “some of the outrageous policies being pursued by corporate interests at both the state and federal levels.”
He said he was also aware that he had a “very strong standing” in the polls should he choose to run again for senate or in a recall election for governor.
Feingold said he might seek elective office again “someday.”