ST. PAUL — The colorful Tony Cornish is passing on the chance to run for Congress.

The Republican state legislator said Wednesday he is happy at the state Capitol and wouldn’t try to trade up to Washington. He had been mulling a challenge to Democratic Rep. Tim Walz.

He says he went so far as to size up staff for a possible federal campaign in Minnesota’s 1st Congressional District.

Cornish said he will run instead for an eighth term in the Legislature.

So far, the only Republican in the race is Blue Earth businessman Jim Hagedorn.

KTOE-AM reported that Hagedorn is confident he can raise more money and put together a better campaign team than in 2014 when he ran against and lost to Walz.