Herseth Sandlin's Facebook message

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I hope your new year is off to a good start. Zachary has been on cloud nine for the past month since celebrating his third birthday and getting to spend so much time with his grandmas, grandpas and older brothers and sisters during the holidays. Let’s just say there's no shortage of Thomas the Train engines or “Cars 2” cars in our household! And Grandpa Lars made sure to get Zachary a model car promoting American Ethanol!

It’s been great to see and hear from so many of you over the past couple of months. Please know how much I appreciate the kindness you always extend to my family and all the encouragement I’ve received to consider a run for public office in 2012. This has been an extraordinarily difficult decision. My desire to serve South Dakota will always be strong, and I will always give serious consideration to opportunities to serve again, but I will not be a candidate for office in 2012.

Over the course of the past year, I have enjoyed being a mom first and foremost. Zachary is a blessing, and watching him grow, learn and tackle a toddler's life challenges with energy and zeal has been a pure joy for Max and me! I have also been fortunate to have professional opportunities to continue working on some of the same issues that motivated me to seek public office in the first place, 10 years ago. I am proud to remain involved in issues important to South Dakota and our economy, like helping to advance exciting renewable energy initiatives, agriculture and nutrition policy, and national security goals. And I was just in Phoenix, Arizona, last week for a public hearing of the Indian Law and Order Commission on which it is an honor to serve.

So while I will not be on the ballot this year, my passion to help ensure a bright future for South Dakota remains. I want to continue to work with you on behalf of our state, while continuing to fully enjoy these precious years while Zachary is so young. Let me again say that this was a difficult decision, but it's the right one for my family and me in light of both personal and professional considerations. I wish you and yours the very best, and I look forward to staying in touch.

Tags: stephanie herseth sandlin, election 2012, news, politics