Ex-Rep. Glenn Nye announced to supporters Wednesday that he will not attempt to win back the seat he lost last year.

“I wanted to let you know that, after careful consideration, I have decided not to run for Congress in 2012,” the Virginia Democrat wrote in a letter, which was first reported by the Virginian-Pilot. “Though it was never my dream to be in politics, I am proud to have had the opportunity to serve the people of Hampton Roads and the Eastern Shore in the U.S. House of Representatives.”

Nye lost the 2nd district race last year by 11 points to now-Rep. Scott Rigell (R), two years after riding a strong Democratic wave and the coattails of President Barack Obama.

Obama won the coastal, military-heavy district by 2 points in 2008, thanks in part to the sizable percentage of African-Americans in the district and his campaign’s focus on winning Virginia. President George W. Bush carried the district by 16 points four years earlier.

The district could become more challenging if an incumbent-protection redistricting plan is approved. But the Legislature is currently deadlocked, with the Republican-controlled state House and Democratic-controlled state Senate unable to agree on new lines.