COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa (AP) – State Sen. Mike Gronstal says he won’t seek the Democratic nomination for governor and instead will focus on maintaining a Democratic majority in the Iowa Senate. Gronstal made his announcement Monday night in Council Bluffs and then issued a news release repeating his decision Tuesday.

Gronstal, the majority leader who has represented Council Bluffs in the Legislature since 1983, acknowledged previously he was considering running for governor. Republican Gov. Terry Branstad hasn’t announced whether he’ll seek re-election, but he’s been raising money and hiring campaign workers.

Gronstal says his decision was difficult because of what he called, “Governor Branstad’s poor leadership and lack of results.”  Cedar Rapids state Rep. Tyler Olson is seeking the Democratic nomination, and Democratic state Sen. Jack Hatch, of Des Moines, is considering a run.