Burris won’t run

Sen. Roland Burris (D-Ill.) made it official on Friday and announced he will not seek a full Senate term in 2010.

“I will not be a candidate in the 2010 election,” Burris said at a press conference. ” I will not run.”

Aaron Blake reported Thursday that Burris was going to announce on Friday that he won’t run.

At the press conference, Burris, who was appointed to President Obama’s former Senate seat by former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich (D), said the pressure to fundraise influenced his decision.

“Political races have become too expensive in this country,” Burris said.

Burris added that he was asked to choose between fundraising and pressing the issues that matter to his constituents.

While was greeted by a crowd of supporters chanting “Run, Roland, Run!” and the conference, it has been clear for a while that it would be a longshot for Burris to hold onto his seat in 2010.

Burris raised just $845 dollars in the first quarter of this year. And polling has shown that he would have a hard time beating state Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias in the Democratic primary for the seat. Businessman Chris Kennedy, another Democrat, is also considering a joining the race.

jeremy.jacobs@digital-stage.thehill.com