LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (KTHV) - According to the office of U.S. Congressman Mike Ross, he will not be running for governor in 2014.

In a statement sent to Today's THV (.PDF), Ross says, "I've received a lot of encouragement and given serious consideration to seeking the office of Governor of Arkansas in 2014, a race that will begin early next year. However, after a lot of prayer and reflection, I have decided that I will not be a candidate for Governor in 2014.

Ross had previously announced in July of 2011 that he would not be seeking a seventh term with the U.S. House of Representatives. Because of this, Ross says he has been able to spend more time with family. He says, "This led me to the realization that there is life after politics."

Ross says he'll work for a company called Southwest Power Pool, which manages the electric grid, keeping rates affordable in nine states. Ross says, "Public service has always been an important part of my life, and although I will no longer be holding elective office, this another way for me to continue to serve the public as Southwest Power Pool works to meet the electricity needs of its nine-state regions today and for the future."

Ross has held office for the last 22 years.

http://www.todaysthv.com/assetpool/documents/120514041931_US_Congressman_Mike_Ross_Statement.pdf