U.S. Rep. Neil Abercrombie said yesterday he would not run for governor next year, explaining he was tempted to challenge Gov. Linda Lingle but did not want to abandon his work in Congress.

The congressman said he was honored that friends and supporters had urged him to run and he pledged to vigorously campaign for the Democratic nominee. He said public talk about his potential campaign may have helped other possible candidates to make up their minds, referring to Big Island Mayor Harry Kim and retired Honolulu police chief Lee Donohue, who have shown some interest.

"It became clear I cannot abandon my work as a member of Hawai'i's congressional delegation," Abercrombie said at a news conference at his congressional campaign office.

Although an Abercrombie campaign was the subject of media speculation, some people close to the congressman and within the party doubted he would give up his position in Congress to run against Lingle. Abercrombie is in his eighth two-year term in Congress and has seniority on the House Armed Services Committee, which has been beneficial for military projects in Hawai'i.

Lingle has said that she could spend $6 million on her re-election campaign and Abercrombie acknowledged that fundraising was a factor in his consideration. But he was critical of the governor for aggressively trying to raise money before a new state law takes effect in January that limits out-of-state contributions and donations from state or county contractors.

Abercrombie said Lingle, while popular, is not unbeatable. "I think her support is an inch deep," he said.

Brickwood Galuteria, the party's chairman, said the party is not alarmed that no Democrat has entered the race. He said the party has worked to solidify its base and reach out to Democrats who may have drifted when Republican Lingle won in 2002. "We will not let that happen again," he said.

Republicans have taken some delight in the Democrats' search for a candidate. "After voting against the Endangered Species Act, Congressman Abercrombie didn't want to become one himself by losing to Governor Lingle," said Senate Minority Leader Fred Hemmings, R-25th (Kailua, Waimanalo, Hawai'i Kai).

Reach Derrick DePledge at ddepledge@honoluluadvertiser.com.