In an e-mail announcement, the 65-year-old former U.S. Navy secretary said that after much thought, he had decided to return to the private sector. He offered no additional details about his plans but said he has "every intention of remaining involved" in national issues.

 

The announcement leaves Democrats scrambling to field a strong candidate in a Southern state that has alternated between Democratic and Republican control in recent years.

 

Former Virginia Gov. Tim Kaine, who is chairman of the Democratic Committee, had earlier ruled out a run for the Senate seat should Webb decide not to seek re-election.

 

"For the past four years, Senator Webb has been a strong and effective advocate for the people of Virginia," Kaine said in a statement. "I had hoped that Senator Webb, having worked tirelessly to help elect him in 2006, would run for reelection and continue his service in the Senate.

 

"However, over the past decade, we’ve made major progress in turning Virginia from a solidly Republican state to a highly competitive one, including Senator Webb’s victory in 2006, Senator Warner’s victory in 2008 and President Obama’s historic victory in 2008.  With the investments that President Obama and the Democratic Party will make in Virginia in 2012, I am confident that our party will hold on to this Senate seat in 2012."

 

Former U.S. Sen. George Allen, also a former Virginia governor whose re-election bid was defeated by Webb in 2006, already has announced that he will seek the seat.