JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — When House Speaker Tim Jones ends his tenure in the legislature in January, he will do so with no plans to return to elected office there anytime soon.

After nearly two years of positioning to seek a statewide office, Jones, a Republican, announced Thursday he has dropped those plans.

“The past eight years have been incredibly fulfilling, but not without personal sacrifice and sacrifice on behalf of my family, supporters and professional colleagues,” he said in a statement.

The announcement comes after multiple campaign tours and large fundraising hauls raised, in part, while telling donors he was serious about a statewide run.

Early on, Jones mulled a run for attorney general in 2016. Then, he considered challenging Secretary of State Jason Kander, a Democrat. He even thought about a campaign for state senate when Republican Brian Nieves announced he wasn’t seeking reelection this spring.

Most recently, Jones was mulling a bid for lieutenant governor.

What changed?

Instead of seeking public office, Jones said he has negotiated a job closer to home, Eureka, in nearby St. Charles. Jones said he will become a senior policy fellow at The Hammonds Institute at Lindenwood University.

The position, he said, “will enable me to continue working to promote the conservative ideals that are so key to rebuilding our state and nation.”

Jones also said on Twitter that he is “finalizing additional exciting opportunities” in “media and communications.”