DeGette withdraws from U.S. Senate consideration

U.S. Rep. Diana DeGette (D-Denver) told Gov. Bill Ritter on Tuesday that she's withdrawing her name Tuesday from consideration for Ken Salazar's U.S. Senate seat.

“After serious deliberation and consultation with my family, supporters, and colleagues in Congress, I have concluded I can best serve the citizens of the First Congressional District and Colorado from my current leadership positions in the House of Representatives," DeGette said in a statement.

When Salazar was appointed U.S. Secretary of the Interior earlier this month, DeGette -- with the help of some allies -- drew attention to herself as a possible successor. But DeGette never was a frontrunner for the position.