The head of Arkansas’ utility regulatory agency is staying put.

State Public Service Commission Chairman Paul Suskie says he’s decided against running for the open 2nd District congressional seat.

The 38-year-old Democrat from North Little Rock who lost to Dustin McDaniel in a Democratic Party runoff for attorney general four years ago says he seriously considered a race for the Central Arkansas seat incumbent Democrat Vic Snyder is vacating. But in the end, Suskie says his current job and family considerations trumped political aspirations — this year.

“Although a congressional race in 2010 is an opportunity that MAY not come again, I know that the opportunity to watch my children grow up on a daily basis over the coming years will NEVER come again,” Suskie says in an e-mail to friends and supporters today.

Suskie and his wife have two children. He is also a lieutenant colonel in the Arkansas Army National Guard’s Judge Advocate General Corps and has served in both Iraq and Afghanistan.

Suskie’s term as PSC chairman ends in 2012.

Also today, Little Rock Mayor Mark Stodola announced plans to run for re-election, ruling out a 2nd District congressional bid.

Among those who say they ARE running for Snyder’s seat are House Speaker Robbie Wills of Conway and state Sen. Joyce Elliott of Little on the Democratic side, and Republicans Tim Griffin and Scott Wallace of Little Rock and David Meeks of Conway.

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