Sen. John Yudichak, who represents Carbon County in the 14th state district, on Thursday put to rest discussions of a potential run by him for the U.S. Congress.

He said he is humbled by suggestions made by others that he might be the heir apparent to U.S. Rep. Lou Barletta, however, he is looking forward to his 2018 re-election bid for the state legislature.

Barletta represents the northern part of Carbon County as part of the 11th Congressional District, but the former Hazleton mayor recently announced he will be relinquishing that seat to run for the U.S. Senate next year against Sen. Robert P. Casey.

That announcement triggered numerous theories on who would pursue Barletta’s seat, but Yudichak said it won’t be him.

In a press release Thursday, Yudichak said, “After many thoughtful conversations with family, friend and the citizens from across both northeastern and central Pennsylvania, I have decided to continue my service in the Pennsylvania State Senate. In 2018, with the support of voters from the 14th senatorial District, I will seek another term as the state senator representing the great people of Luzerne and Carbon counties.”

Yudichak said he prefers to continue to work on public-private partnerships that are attracting new technology jobs to the Wyoming Valley, manufacturing jobs to the South Valley corridor and health care positions in Hazleton.

He has partnered to revitalize communities, worked with the SHINE after-school program, aided the reclamation of hundreds of acres of mine-scarred lands, and the investment of hundreds of millions of dollars in public infrastructure projects.”

In Harrisburg, Yudichak serves as the Democrat chairman of the Environmental Resources and Energy Committee, establishing legislation that balances growing energy sector jobs with cleaning up rivers, preserving state forests, and protecting every Pennsylvanian’s right to clean air and water.

“While I am humbled by the spirited enthusiasm of both local and national leaders who sought my interest in a campaign for the 11th congressional seat, the clear advice from family and friends is the fight for a better northeastern Pennsylvania is a fight best continued in the Pennsylvania State Senate,” Yudichak said.

Referring to his and his wife’s daughters, Yudichak added, “In addition to continuing our work in the State Senate, there are four very good reasons why I have decided against running for the U.S. Congress. And, those four good reasons are: Sarah, Anna, Evelyn, and Grace. Public life requires much sacrifice from a young family, and I have already asked a great deal of my daughters. The thought of my daughters having to give up even more of our time together is simply, in my heart and mind, too much to ask of them.”

A graduate of Greater Nanticoke Area High School, Wyoming Seminary Preparatory School and Pennsylvania State University, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in English and a master’s degree in American Studies, Yudichak lives in Plymouth Township with his wife, attorney Heather Yudichak, and their daughters.