State Rep. Gregory F. Lavelle (R-Sharpley), confirmed Nov. 12 that his will not seek election to the U.S. House seat  currently held by Rep. Mike Castle.

The four-term representative's name had been tossed around as a possible replacement for Castle, who announced last month that he will run for the U.S. Senate seat formerly held by Vice President Joe Biden.

Lavelle said this is not the right time for him to try for a seat in Congress.

“I recognize, and others in the GOP who are considering a run for the office must also recognize, that organizing a genuine and effective campaign, including the challenges of raising
more than $1 million, will be no small task," he said in a statement. "This is no time for chasing windmills.

“After discussing these challenges with my wife, my family and friends, I have
reached the decision that it is not the time for me to run for this office. My family is
my first, second and third priority and I am fortunate to be in a professional situation
that I enjoy each and every day. As in life, opportunities such as this come and go
and sometimes they come back again."

Lavelle said he will run for reelection to his current seat.