Scott Romney not running for Senate

Scott Romney, the older brother of former Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney, is not running for Michigan's open Senate seat, he confirmed last night in a statement.

Romney had been "seriously looking at" a bid for the seat being vacated by Sen. Carl Levin, D-Mich., according to a Romney family friend. Levin, who has held his seat since 1979, announced last week he would not seek re-election.

"I congratulate Senator Levin on his retirement, he has served with integrity and honor," the elder Romney said in a statement obtained by CBS News. "In 2014 the people of Michigan will have the opportunity to choose what they expect in a United States Senator. The choice will be between job creation and fiscal responsibility or more government and staggering debt and deficits. While I will not be a candidate, I am convinced we will elect a Republican United States Senator to represent the State of Michigan."

While Romney's older brother won't seek the seat, another member of the Michigan-centric clan says she's considering it: Scott Romney's daughter, Ronna Romney McDaniel, niece of Mitt and granddaughter of former Gov. George Romney, R-Mich., said she is "looking at" the possibility, according to the Detroit News.

"It's something I'm going to consider [after] what I saw around the state with how frustrated people were with what's happening in D.C.," Romney McDaniel said. "Maybe this is a time where we can bring a new voice and get a Republican senator from our state."

Despite the family's political history in Michigan, the Romney name is no guarantee of political success there: Mitt Romney lost the state to President Obama by 54 percent to 44 percent and his mother, Lenore, lost a Senate bid there in 1970.