Former Speaker of the House, Catherine Hanaway, has decided against running for Attorney General.

Hanaway now serves as the US Attorney for the Eastern District. She tells the Missourinet there are two basic reasons she decided against entering the race for Attorney General. One is the commitment she has given to taxpayers to serve as the federal prosecutor in St. Louis. The other is to her young family, which she says would have to endure a grueling statewide campaign. Hanaway has a 9-year-old daughter and a 5-year-old son.

Hanaway’s decision clears the field for an expected announcement from Senate Republican Leader, Michael Gibbons of Kirkwood. Gibbons could now step into a Republican primary clear of two major opponents once assumed to be candidates. Hanaway has decided not to run and Harrisonville Senator Chris Koster has switched to the Democratic Party.

Download/listen Catherine Hanaway explains why she isn’t running for AG (:25 MP3)