Russ Feingold says he won't run for office in 2012 (AP)

MILWAUKEE ? Democrat Russ Feingold says he's not running for office in 2012.

The former senator has taken himself out of the running for U.S. Senate and a bid for governor should Democrats launch a recall against Republican Gov. Scott Walker.

Feingold sent an e-mail to supporters Friday that said he wanted to devote his time to teaching at Marquette Law School, leading the political committee he founded and finishing a book he's writing on the U.S. response to the Sept. 11 attacks.

Feingold says he may seek elective office again someday, but not next year.

He was defeated in 2010 in his run for a fourth term in the Senate. Some Democrats considered him a leading candidate should Walker be recalled.

Source: http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/politics/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20110819/ap_on_el_se/us_feingold2012