BURLINGTON, Vt. -- Gov. James Douglas said Saturday he will not be a candidate for the U.S. Senate next year.

"To put an end to the speculation, the parsing and the political jockeying that distracts from achieving these goals, I have decided to make my intentions known now, so that we can all return our attention to the work before us -- so we can all go back to doing what Vermonters sent us to Montpelier to do," Douglas said.

A possible Douglas run had been a subject of intense speculation in the 10 days since Sen. James Jeffords announced he would not seek a fourth Senate term next year.

Douglas called that speculation an unfortunate distraction from the work he's trying to do in Montpelier.

He used the occasion of the announcement of his political plan to deliver a list of goals and accomplishments as governor.

Douglas said ambitious politicians with their eye on his office should know he wants to remain governor for a while.

"I am focused on being governor and on the legislative priorities I've established: passing responsible health care reform; saving Medicaid for the most vulnerable; balancing the budget, while continuing to moderate our tax burden; and protecting our families by passing the omnibus public safety bill," Douglas said.