Swift Won't Run for Mass. Governor

March 19 -- Massachusetts acting Gov. Jane Swift decided not to seek election to a full term in November and today endorsed the budding candidacy of Salt Lake City Olympic organizer Mitt Romney.

Before a room packed with supporters and journalists at the Massachusetts Statehouse, Swift said she would retire from politics when her term expires in December.

"I believe that this is in the best interest of our state because it will allow the Republican Party the best chances to hold the governor's office in November," Swift said.

"Within the last 24 hours," she told reporters, "I sat down with my husband after having had a major conversation with my political adviser."

With Swift out of the way, Romney announced late this afternoon that he would run for the nomination.

‘Something Had to Give’

Earlier, referring to a potential primary battle against Romney, Swift said, "Obviously, the political campaign time commitment to run a successful campaign against a well-heeled opponent increased the time necessary for that."

She said she also wanted to spend more time with her husband and her three young children.

"Something had to give, either in governance or in politics," Swift said.

Her voice breaking, Swift thanked her friends and supporters, and said the people of Massachusetts had shown her good will during her 12 years in politics.

"I'll continue to work heard in the coming months for the commonwealth," she said. "Serving the commonwealth has been an honor and a privilege."

First Governor to Give Birth in Office

Swift served as lieutenant governor under Gov. A. Paul Cellucci and became the state's top executive last April when Cellucci was named President Bush's ambassador to Canada. In May, Swift also became the first governor to give birth (to twins, no less) while in office.

Her tenure as lieutenant governor was marked by ethical questions, her tenure as governor has been plagued by budget problems, and Republicans in the state and in Washington regarded her as unlikely to hold the seat for the GOP this fall.