Tierney says no to bid for Senate seat

PEABODY – U.S. Rep. John F. Tierney will not run for a Senate seat.The Salem Democrat and ranking member of the U.S. House of Representatives said Monday he decided over the weekend not to enter the race for the seat left vacant by the death of U.S. Sen. Edward M. Kennedy Aug. 25 and to instead remain a member of the “People’s House.””A great number of people have kindly urged me to run for the United States Senate. I have given the matter serious consideration and determined that, at this time, I can best be of service in the U.S. House of Representatives – continuing to work to make education more affordable and accessible, to build and strengthen our nation’s workforce, to enact meaningful health care reform and to ensure we have a pragmatic foreign policy,” Tierney, 57, said Monday. “These and other serious matters must be addressed in the coming weeks and months and they, along with my constituents, warrant my full attention.”Tierney, who was first elected in 1996, had considered the possibility of a Senate candidacy over the past few weeks, weighing the pros and cons and discussing it with his wife, Patrice, and key supporters.”Since the passing of Sen. Kennedy, a great number of people have kindly urged me to run for the United States Senate. Such an opportunity comes open perhaps only once in one’s lifetime. I have given the matter serious consideration, and while thankful for all of the confidence shown, today I am stating that, at this time, I shall not be a candidate in the special election for the U.S. Senate,” he said.”I love my present job and am very proud of the constituent service work that has, I believe, earned my office the reputation as one of the most responsive and effective. I’m equally proud of the policy work done in the past and now in progress.”Tierney thanked his constituents in the 6th Congressional District for allowing him to engage in and positively impact the important issues facing them and the country. “My seniority, position on committees, strong relationships and experience create the ability to weigh in on significant matters,” he said. “On the Education and Labor Committee, I have been able to help shape education policy from pre-K through college and adult learning, and was able to be one of the key authors of the re-authorization of the Higher Education Act that increased affordability and access for students and made campuses more accountable to families.”The congressman also noted that the Green Jobs Act, co-written with Secretary of Labor Hilda Solis, was passed and recently funded to ensure workers today are prepared for the jobs of tomorrow. “More important work remains to retrain and equip workers in new industries. To that end, I am thoroughly involved in modernizing the Workforce Investment Act and other policies to address our country’s economic situation,” he said.”As a member of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, and as chairman of the Oversight Subcommittee on National Security and Foreign Policy, I have been deeply involved in national security issues concerning our safety here at home and our involvement in the world community, including Iran, Afghanistan and Pakistan. Ensuring the safety of Americans at home, and overseeing the expenditure of a sizable national security budget exposed to potential and real waste, fraud, and abuse is an ongoing responsibility,” he said, noting that work he introduced in the House led to the creation of the Commission on Wartime Contracting.”Subsequently, as subcommittee chairman, I worked to improve the conditions for our injured service members at Walter Reed and other military hospitals. This important work continues,” he said.”While it is no doubt an honor to serve in the Senate, I consider it every bit as much of an honor to serve in the ‘People’s House’, and I do not think it best to divert attention at this crucial time from those responsibilities over many months as would be required by a candidacy.”Last Friday,