Democratic Rep. Ron Kind will not run for governor of Wisconsin in 2010, deciding instead to seek an eighth term in his 3rd District seat.

Kind, who would have been a top contender in the governor's race, released a statement Thursday afternoon in which he cited efforts to pass a health care overhaul as the top priority keeping him in Congress.

"My first responsibility must be to get affordable and accessible health care reform passed this year for all Wisconsin families," Kind said. "That is why I cannot run for governor. I have a responsibility and duty to the people of Wisconsin to continue work on the health care reform agenda ahead of us."

Democratic Gov. James E. Doyle announced in August that he would not seek a third term, breaking the 2010 race wide open. Kind promptly declared that he was considering a bid for governor, raising expectations that he would run.

Two former U.S. House Republicans this week re-entered political life by filing paperwork to formalize their 2010 campaigns for governor.

Both Scott McInnis of Colorado and Mark Neumann of Wisconsin are challenging incumbent Democratic governors: McInnis is taking on Bill Ritter Jr., who is seeking a second term, and Neumann is challenging James E. Doyle, who is expected to run for a third term.

McInnis on Wednesday established a candidate committee and can begin raising money for a campaign against Ritter. McInnis, who filed an affidavit of candidacy in May, is joining a Republican field that includes businessman Dan Maes and that probably will grow to include Josh Penry, the state Senate Minority Leader.