Kucinich rules out running for Congress in Washington state

(CBS News) Outgoing Rep. Dennis Kucinich, D-Ohio, who lost his primary against colleague Marcy Kaptur in March, announced on Wednesday that he would not run for Congress in Washington state.

"I will complete my service in the U.S. House on January 2, 2013, with the same passion and devotion to duty with which I began it on January 3, 1997," Kucinich said in an email to supporters.

After his loss in March to Kaptur after redistricting caused the two veteran lawmakers to face each other in a primary, Kucinich toyed with the idea of running in Washington, which includes districts that could appeal to the liberal, anti-war congressman. The Ohio lawmaker told Hotsheet shortly after his loss that he was not ruling out a bid in the Evergreen State. "We'll see what the next few days and months bring," Kucinich said at the time.

Kucinich announced his decision ahead of the May 18 deadline.

"I have decided that, at this time, I can best serve from outside the Congress," Kucinich wrote, adding that he seriously considered the move. "Because of my love of public service, I have given a great deal of time and much thought to the advice and encouragement I have received from so many people of good will in Washington State."

However, not everyone in Washington liked the idea. Dwight Pelz, the head of the Washington Democratic Party, publicly opposed a Kucinich run there, calling him a "narcissist."