“I’m not a partisan politician and I won’t play political games,” Crawford said in a statement. “Here in Alaska I have worked with Republicans and Democrats, reaching across the aisle to get things done. And in Washington, I’ll continue to be the independent voice our state needs.”

Crawford visited Washington, D.C., earlier this year to meet with the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee about a bid against Young. The committee targeted Young last cycle, but he squeaked out a victory despite being heavily favored to lose his seat last November.