JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – After an unsuccessful run for U.S. Senate in 2012 following a series of incendiary comments, former U.S. Rep. Todd Akin said Friday he would not challenge incumbent Republican Roy Blunt next year.

“I’m not running,” he said in a text message Friday morning.

Akin had a told a newspaper earlier this week that he was considering  launching a primary challenge to Blunt.

Blunt is already facing a Democratic opponent, Secretary of State Jason Kander.