This doesn’t come as a big surprise since he was reportedly close to an announcement well over two weeks ago now and never said something, but it seems worth noting – if for nothing else than because we had him on “Capital Tonight.”

Orange County Executive Ed Diana announced today he will not join the field of Republicans challenging Democratic Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand.

“This past November the people of Orange County once again gave me the privilege of returning to serve as their County Executive in a job that I truly love,” Diana said in a press release. “Therefore, I have concluded that I will not be a candidate for higher office at this time.”

“As a lifelong resident of Orange County, I have witnessed first-hand the challenges and opportunities our County has faced, and I am so proud of the work that we have accomplished together.”

“…As always, my top priorities remain strengthening public safety and enhancing economic prosperity for our citizens. I remain committed to serve as your County Executive and I look forward to working as hard as I can to keep Orange County the best place to live, to work and to raise our families.”

Diana goes on to note the county recently received Aaa Bond Rating by Moody’s Investors Service and is working on a number of yet-uncompleted projects, such as completion of the SUNY Orange Branch Campus in Newburgh and enhancements to the Main Campus in Middletown.

Diana said he was encouraged to enter the fray by state GOP Chairman Ed Cox, so perhaps this is a sign the chairman has finally stopped candidate shopping?

This leaves former Port Authority board member Bruce Blakeman, former Rep. Joe DioGuardi, and economist David Malpass vying for the GOP and Conservative Party lines to challenge Gillibrand.

For what it’s worth, there’s speculation that Diana is on Rick Lazio’s short list as a potential LG running mate. I’ve also heard the name of Chautauqua County Executive Greg Edwards bandied about.

Monroe County Executive Maggie Brooks and Onondaga County Executive Joanie Mahoney have also been mentioned. (Brooks was acually floated as a potential No. 2 for AG Andrew Cuomo, but shot that down very quickly). A GOP insider told me recently that neither woman is particularly interested in leaving her local executive post for a chance to go statewide.

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