Nobel winner decides to skip U.S. Senate run

08/29/2007

Associated Press | August 29, 2007


Nobel Prize-winning chemist Peter Agre said Wednesday that he won't press ahead with a run for U.S. Senate in Minnesota next year.

Agre, who is a professor and vice chancellor at Duke University, spent the summer consulting with people in his home state about joining the Democratic field of challengers to Republican Sen. Norm Coleman.

He said he encountered encouragement and skepticism, and he ultimately concluded a campaign would carry more personal and professional costs than he was willing to bear.

"As much as I'd like to run, I've decided it's just not the time to step in," Agre said in a telephone interview with the Associated Press. "It's late. I just don't think I can make the race."

His decision further sharpens the contest for the Democratic nomination. The two front-runners are trial attorney Mike Ciresi and comedian Al Franken.

Two others who have declared are environmental activist Jim Cohen and frequent candidate Dick Franson.