2008 Presidential Campaign Blog

Hagel Announces That He Will Not Be A Candidate In 2008

Hagel Announces He Will Not Seek A Third Term In Senate

OMAHA, NE –  United States Senator Chuck Hagel (R-NE) announced this morning that he will not seek a third term in the United States Senate and does not intend to be a candidate for any office in 2008.  Below is a text of Hagel’s remarks delivered at the Omaha Press Club:

“I will not seek a third term in the United States Senate, nor do I intend to be a candidate for any office in 2008.  It has been my greatest honor and privilege to serve my country and represent my fellow Nebraskans in the U.S. Senate.  My family and I will be forever grateful for this opportunity and the trust placed in me by the people of Nebraska.  It has enriched all of us.

I have always tried to live up to the promise I made to the people of Nebraska the day I announced my intention to seek this Senate seat.  On March 30, 1995 I said, “I intend to be a Senator all Nebraskans can be proud of.”  I hope I’ve done that, and made some contributions to our state and country along the way.  History will sort that out.

I am proud of my Senate record and deeply grateful to all those who helped get me there and keep me there, and those who have worked so hard for the people of Nebraska—my staff.  I would like to particularly thank Mike McCarthy, Ken Stinson and Lou Ann Linehan.  I owe a great deal to these three individuals.

I would have been unable to do my job without the love, wise perspective and constant encouragement of my wife Lilibet, my daughter Allyn and my son Ziller.  My appreciation for their support is immeasurable.  I would also like to thank my brothers, Tom and Mike, for their constant support and occasional brotherly constructive evaluations.

I said after I was elected in 1996 that 12 years in the Senate would probably be enough.  It is.  I have always believed that democracies work best when there is a constant cycle of new energy and ideas, and fresh leadership.

I will leave the Senate with the same enthusiasm, sense of purpose and love of my country that I started with.  I leave maybe a little wiser, surely a little more experienced and with a very respectable amount of humility.

Public service has always been a big part of my life, and I hope to have another opportunity to serve my country in some new capacity down the road.

This afternoon, my family and I will return to Washington, and I will go back to work.  I look forward to working as hard in the remaining 16 months of my Senate term for the people of Nebraska as I have over the last 11 years.

Thank you.”

Senator Hagel's Remarks Today in Omaha

Statement by U.S. Senator Chuck Hagel on His Political Future
March 12, 2007 

America stands at an historic crossroads in its history. It is against this backdrop that I find myself at my own crossroads on my political future. Burdened by two wars, faced with dangerous new threats and global uncertainty, beset by serious long-term domestic problems and divided by raw political partisanship—America now reaches for a national consensus of purpose. America’s response to the challenges and opportunities that confront us today will define our future. Finding solutions to these challenges and capitalizing on these opportunities will not wait until the next election. 

I have worked hard over the last ten years on foreign policy and national security issues, climate change and energy, education, entitlement reform, especially Social Security reform, health care, veterans benefits, GSE reform, and immigration reform. This year will be an important year for these critical issues– and I intend to offer new initiatives on each of them. I want to give these and other subjects my full attention over the next few months. I believe it is in the interests of my Nebraska constituents and this country that I continue to work full time on these challenges. 

America is facing its most divisive and difficult issue since Vietnam—the war in Iraq, an issue that I have been deeply involved in. I want to keep my focus on helping find a responsible way out of this tragedy, and not divert my energy, efforts and judgment with competing political considerations. 

I am here today to announce that my family and I will make a decision on my political future later this year. 

In making this announcement, I believe there will still be political options open to me at a later date. But that will depend on the people of Nebraska and this country. I cannot control that and I do not worry about it. I will continue to participate in events across this country, raising money for my Political Action Committee to assist Republican candidates, and raising funds for a Senate re-election campaign. 

In conclusion, I would first like to commend my colleagues who are currently seeking their Party’s presidential nomination. I admire each of them for their willingness to put themselves on the line and pursue their strong beliefs and ideals. 

I believe the political currents in America are more unpredictable today than at any time in modern history. We are experiencing a political re-orientation, a redefining and moving toward a new political center of gravity. This movement is bigger than both parties. The need to solve problems and meet challenges is overtaking the ideological debates of the last three decades—as it should. America is demanding honest, competent and accountable governance.
A global political readjustment is also in play today...and will respond to America’s leadership. What is at stake for the future of America is larger than just American politics. Politics is simply the mechanism democracies use to affect responsible change. The world is not static, it is dynamic. 

At the beginning of my remarks I said that America is reaching for a national consensus of purpose. We will find it because Americans expect it and will demand it. I do not believe America’s greatness is lost to the 20th Century. There are chapters of America’s greatness yet to be written. I intend to continue being part of America’s story.

Chuck Hagel Sandhills PAC Web Site Launched

The Sandhills PAC web site was launched with this welcome message from Chuck Hagel.

"Welcome to Sandhills PAC.

Our country faces great challenges. We must have strong, steady and capable leadership during this critical time in our nation.

Sandhills PAC is committed to supporting candidates who have demonstrated this kind of leadership.

Since 1999, Sandhills PAC has been one of the most successful contributors to Republican candidates all over the country, contributing almost $1million directly to their campaigns. I’m very proud of this record.

Within this site, you will find information about me, Sandhills PAC, current news and events, and how you can help support our efforts.

Thanks for visiting and best wishes in 2006!"

Sincerely, Chuck Hagel