Though he won the Republican primary election last month, Jon Elrod has decided not to run against Democrat Andre Carson in the election this fall -- leaving Carson unopposed for the seat in the United States Congress.

Elrod held a press conference on Wednesday, June 18, to announce his decisions. Below is a transcript of his speech:

Today I announce my decision to forego my candidacy for Congress, and to seek re-election to the statehouse.

Much has happened in the past eight months since I announced last November. Our campaign reached out to voters with a positive message, fresh ideas, and a vision of a government that works. We ran on issues: balanced budgets, fully funded social security, and an end to earmarks. Two elections have passed, and the voters have chosen the victor. In the meantime, none stepped forward to continue my efforts in
the statehouse.

Whenever a public servant is at a crossroads, the question should always be: where can I do the most good? How can I most positively influence public policy? I have come to the conclusion that we need state legislators committed to eliminating the property tax, reforming education, and bringing jobs to Indianapolis. We need positive, common sense leadership. We must protect our neighborhoods from the blight of abandoned homes. We must fund our neighborhooddevelopment corporations. We will have those opportunities in the nexttwo years in the Statehouse. As I weigh all of this, I feel compelled to seek re-election

This decision was not made lightly- I take no pleasure in walking away from a fight. The easy path would be to stay in the race. I also know many supporters will be disappointed. But this is not about ego or ideology. The only question is how I can best serve Indianapolis. I am resolute that the greater good is in a hard-fought return to the statehouse, rather than a long-shot run for Congress.

Rudyard Kipling wrote words every politician should consider:

If you can dream- and not make dreams your master,
If you can think- and not make thoughts your aim;
If you can meet Triumph and Disaster
And treat those two Imposters the same;
If you can bear to hear the truth you've spoken
Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools,
Or watch the things you gave your life to, broken,
And stoop and build'em up with worn out tools....

If you can do all this, you are ready for the public arena.

And so, I pick up my worn-out shoes and turn fully to the task at hand. I promise a determined campaign focused on protecting and preserving the neighborhoods that make Indianapolis home. I will continue to fight for the abolition of the property tax. I will seek legislation empowering cities to more quickly combat abandoned houses.
I will continue to seek bipartisan solutions for the problems we face. Together we can do better, and together we will do better.

Thank you.