Liz Mathis Not Running for Braley's House Seat in 2014

A high profile candidate with Marion ties has taken her name out of the running for the Replace Bruce Braley Sweepstakes.'

Senator Liz Mathis (D-Robins), said that despite speculation that she's ready for the jump to the next level, she's good where she's at for now.

State Sen. Liz Mathis Won't Seek Braley's Congressional Seat (KCRG)

Mathis had been mentioned as a possible Congressional candidate after U.S. Rep. Bruce Braley, D-Waterloo, said he will not seek re-election in 2014, but instead will run for the U.S. Senate seat being vacated with the retirement of Sen. Tom Harkin.

On Saturday, Mathis said she had been encouraged to run for the 1st Congressional District seat by a sufficient number of party officials and supporters that she felt she needed to investigate the idea, confer with her husband, Mark, and three children about it, and make a decision.

"I am flattered by the support from party faithful, longtime friends and others," she said. … (But) now is not the right time for me, personally, to run for Congress."

Mathis told Rick Smith of the Gazette that she enjoys her current position as a state senator, which allows her to speak with her consituents while also serving as information officer for Four Oaks.

But is she ruling out a future run higher office? Nah.

Sen. Liz Mathis won't run for U.S. Congress

"It really has been a very hard decision, because I spoke to so many people," Mathis said. "As I was looking at it more and more, I still realized I still have a lot of room to grow in my role as a state senator. I have a young daughter who has her senior year, and I don't want to miss that. And I don't want to schedule that." 

Mathis does not know yet whom she will support in the race, but she pledged to support the Democratic nominee. She did not rule out a run for higher office at a later date. 

Mathis, 55, represents Senate District 18, which includes Marion. A former KWWL and KCRG news anchor, Mathis has one re-election twice since being nominated to replace Democrat Swati Dandekar in 2011.