American Samoa’s governor says he will not seek the territory’s non-voting seat in the U.S. House of Representatives. 

Gov. Togiola Tulafono made the announcement on his weekend radio program, putting to end speculation that he would attempt to unseat incumbent Delegate Eni Faleomavaega, who announced last year he will run for a 13th term. 

Tulafono is barred from seeking a third consecutive four-year term as governor. His term ends next year. 

He says he won’t leave the governor’s post before his term is up. He says he’ll explore options next year about his political future.

The former territorial senator and attorney was lieutenant governor in 2003 when he replaced Gov. Tauese Sunia, who died suddenly on board a Polynesian Airlines flight from Apia to Honolulu.