Matthews: Not running for Pa. Senate seat

WASHINGTON - January 8, 2009 - MSNBC spokesman Jeremy Gaines says Matthews told the staff of his "Hardball" show Wednesday that he's not going to run for the seat against Republican Sen. /*Arlen Specter*/ in 2010.

There's been speculation that Matthews would challenge Specter, and there have been published reports that Matthews has privately discussed the possibility.

The 63-year-old Matthews is a Philadelphia native. He ran for a northeast Philadelphia congressional seat in 1974 but lost the Democratic primary.

Matthews also has worked as an aide on Capitol Hill.