Zirkin Files For 2014 Re-Election Bid

Democratic State Sen. Bobby Zirkin is running for re-election in 2014 after all.

Zirkin, in a text message to a reporter late Friday, write that he "officially filed for Senate today."

The decision to run for a third term in the Maryland Senate comes a month after an interview in which he said he was considering leaving public office.

"The most important thing in my life is my family," Zirkin said last month. "I have two small children and whatever decision I make will be all about them. I love the Senate and the public policy debates even when they are controversial. It's hard to juggle all those things, to keep all those balls in the air. The balls I refuse to let drop are my kids. I don't want to miss anything with them."

Zirkin said at the time that he had made no final decisions but was giving retirement serious consideration.

Zirkin was not immediately available for comment on Friday or Monday.

In an email to supporters Monday, Zirkin wrote that he was planning on running but did not address his earlier interview or why he decided to run again.

"I am proud of our past success and hope that you will continue to join me as we tackle our future challenges," Zirkin wrote. "Working together, we have passed meaningful legislation on issues such as drunk driving, domestic violence, sex offenders, child abuse, and human trafficking.  We have had success beginning to turn around our broken system of juvenile services.  We have passed group home reform and ground-breaking legislation to keep guns out of the hands of criminals and those with serious mental illness."

Read more:

• Zirkin Considers Life Outside the Senate