Former Rep. Hayes rules out return to Congress

A day after former Rep. Robin Hayes (R-N.C.) said he was still considering whether to challenge Rep. Larry Kissell (D-N.C.) to a rematch in 2010, Hayes has made it known that he will not seek his old seat next year.

Hayes told News Channel 14 in the Tarheel State that he will step aside for somebody else in 2008.

“I’m going to do everything that I can to help recruit and finance and give what experience and assistance I can to make sure that that person, and it’s not going to be me, is properly prepared,” Hayes said.

That’s interesting, considering Hayes on Tuesday balked at the suggestion by National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC) Recruitment Chairman Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) that Hayes wouldn’t be the party’s candidate in 2010.

McCarthy told the Raleigh News & Observer on Tuesday that Hayes probably wouldn’t be running again. But Hayes responded to the paper that his future was “as yet, undetermined.”

That tune changed Wednesday, with Hayes getting out.

While there has been enthusiasm for other for members to run for their old seats, including Reps. Steve Chabot (R-Ohio) and Steve Pearce (R-N.M.), that hasn’t really been the case with Hayes.

It seems like he’s been told that it’s time to move on.