PORTLAND — Democrat Wellington Lyons is no longer considering runing for the 1st Congressional District seat.

Lyons, a lawyer and official with the League of Young Voters, was among the Democrats who took out nominating papers amid speculation that U.S. Rep Chellie Pingree would give up the seat to run for Senate. Pingree has since said that she will not run for the Senate seat being vacated by Republican Olympia Snowe.

Lyons praised Pingree for leadership on campaign finance reform.

“Maine is truly lucky to have such a leader in the House, and it is out of gratitude for Rep. Pingree’s work on federal clean elections that I will not be submitting the signatures I have collected and end my consideration of running for the U.S. House,” Lyons said in a statement.