Providence Mayor Elorza will not run for governor

Providence Mayor Jorge Elorza will not seek the State House next year.

In an email to his supporters on Wednesday, Elorza cited his obligations to the city and to his family as the reasons for his decision not to run for governor.

"Over the past year or so, as I have considered whether to run, two things have weighed most heavily in my mind," Elorza said. "The reality is that it would be impossible to devote myself fulltime to a statewide campaign while at the same time giving my full attention to the work of running the city. There is simply too much to do to keep the city moving forward each day. And second, as a parent of a young child, I must prioritize family."

Continuing, Elorza compared his time in office to a "relay race," stating that he's "committed and plan to sprint to the finish line and position the city so that the next mayor has the greatest chance of success," a clear indication he will focus on his work as mayor.

The announcement ends a long period of speculation over whether the mayor would seek higher office. As of June, he had raised more than $1.1 million in cash-on-hand. That placed him second among those who declared their gubernatorial candidacies, including General Treasurer Seth Magaziner, Secretary of State Nellie Gorbea and medical doctor Luis Daniel Muñoz. Magaziner had $1.5 million in cash-on-hand while Gorbea had about $668,000 and Muñoz had close to $1,300.

Elorza did not rule out a gubernatorial campaign down the line, stating, "perhaps the conditions will be right at some point in the future."

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Magaziner, the latest candidate to jump into the race, announced his run on Tuesday, positioning himself as a departure from "old-school politics."

Incumbent Gov. Dan McKee also is expected to announce his run, though he has not done so yet.