God, apparently, is a little indecisive.
Despite having suggested earlier in the week that he would announce plans Saturday to run for the U.S. Senate seat being vacated by Jon Kyl, Congressman Trent Franks -- who said earlier this month he would leave the final decision about whether he'd run to the man upstairs -- announced today that he won't seek the seat.
See Franks' complete statement below:
"For three weeks, there have been numerous press accounts regarding the possibility that I might enter the race for the U.S. Senate seat being vacated in 2012 by Arizona's venerable Senator, Jon Kyl. Indeed, I have made no secret about the fact that I was very actively considering the possibility and leaning strongly in the direction of running.
A decision like this is among the most complicated a man can ever make. One has a duty to measure how to best serve his God, his country, and his loved ones. There is a complex array of factors that must coincide within the right timeframe in order to prudently move forward with such an undertaking.
After diligently and prayerfully trying to consider every aspect a potential Senate bid would entail, I have sincerely concluded that mounting a Senate bid at this time would not be what is best for my family, nor what would best allow me to serve my country at this critical time in her history.
It is the nature of Congress that tenure and experience allow Members to have a greater impact than perhaps they were able to have when they first arrived in D.C. To that end, after the Republican takeover of the U.S. House in the last election, I now have the distinct honor of serving as Chairman of the Constitution Subcommittee, in addition to my roles on the Armed Services and Judiciary Committees and the Strategic Forces Subcommittee; as well as my positions of leadership on numerous vital caucuses, including the EMP Caucus, the Missile Defense Caucus, the International Religious Freedom Caucus, and the Israel Allies Caucus.
Considering certain critical bills being debated in the house along with ongoing and recent developments in the world, and the overall direction our country is taking, along with my tenure and committee assignments, I believe I can best serve my country at this time by remaining in and running for reelection to the U.S House of Representatives.
In announcing this decision, I cannot begin to fully relate the abiding gratitude in my heart for absolutely everyone who came together to help and support me. I will never forget their commitment to their country or their kindness to me. And I ask for their continued prayers as, over the next two years, I continue to focus on the same the same issues of national security, border security, free enterprise economic growth, and protecting the constitutional rights of life, liberty, and property for all Americans that I pray have marked and will continue to mark my public service career.
I am grateful to God, to my family, and to those who have supported me for so long for that profound privilege."
Earlier this week, Franks said an announcement about his "future plans" would come following a fundraiser being held tomorrow morning by Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio and Minnesota Congresswoman Michele Bachmann.
There's been no official poll conducted on the race, but Congressman Jeff Flake is considered to be the front-runner, for now (he's the only person to officially declared his candidacy, which certainly doesn't hurt his odds).
While no polls have been released to the public, we have a feeling
