NEW YORK, NY September 01, 2009 —New York's Republicans are deciding not to take on Democratic freshman Senator Kirsten Gillibrand in 2010. Long Island Representative Peter King says he'll instead seek re-election to his 10th term in Congress.

He says he wanted to run for the U.S. Senate, but he says Gillibrand, quote, "generates neither strong support nor opposition", making it "virtually impossible" to raise enough money to overcome Democrats' edge in registered voters.

Several Democrats, including Manhattan Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney and Long Island congresswoman Carolyn McCarthy, have backed out of a primary challenge of Gillibrand for similar fundraising reasons.