Allen West rules out 2014 comeback

Former Rep. Allen West (R-Fla.) is ruling out running for his old seat in 2014, ending speculation that he’d seek a comeback after narrowly losing his 2012 reelection bid.

“If all you want to know is if I am running for Congressional district 18, the answer is no. My sights and objectives, political and otherwise, are focused on something far greater,” West told the Palm Beach Post via text message on Wednesday.

{mosads}West, a Tea Party favorite who recently announced he’d taken a job with the conservative PJ Media, was responding to a question about any future run for office. Before ruling out a bid, he argued he was more concerned about the country than his own aspirations.

“My commitment is to the future of the next generation of Americans,” he texted. “The
conversation should not be about me but what is the legacy we shall
leave to our children and grandchildren, greater debt, a less secure
Country and world, diminished opportunity? Shall we be the first
generation to fail to ensure the American dream for future generations?”

West lost his 2012 reelection bid to Rep. Patrick Murphy (D-Fla.) by less than 1 percentage point, and had left the door open to running for office again.