CHEYENNE -- With his wife Nancy at his side, Gov. Dave Freudenthal formally announced Thursday that he will not be a candidate for re-election this year.

"This decision is not made lightly but has strong support from my family," said the two-term Democratic chief executive.

"I suspect this statement comes as no surprise to most observers of the Wyoming political scene," he added.

If he had decided to run, Freudenthal would have had to challenge the state's term limits law, which observers said was no barrier given that the Wyoming Supreme Court already overturned term limits for legislators.

The governor said his decision began to gel over Christmas when he sat down with his wife and children. The children were uniformly opposed to him running again, he said.

Nancy Freudenthal said it was very much a family decision.

The job is demanding on a governor's personal and family life, she said.

"It was hard for me not to blurt out what I thought," she said.

Nancy Freudenthal's appointment to a federal judgeship is awaiting a confirmation vote by the U.S. Senate.

A recent Republican poll gave Freudenthal an extremely high approval rating.

The governor earlier announced he would commission a poll on various issues, a move that briefly fueled speculation he would run again.

Freudenthal said Thursday that the pollster was paid for the survey, but it wasn't done.

"We'll turn the stuff over to the (Democratic) party and let them work with the pollster, what questions they want," he said.

Freudenthal said he does not know what he will do when he leaves office in 10 months.

He declined to talk about any "legacy."

"We don't do that legacy stuff," he said during the news conference. "This legacy stuff is incredibly dangerous."

"I would like to see us actually do a carbon capture/sequestration process. I would like to see the GE process work. I would like to see the NCAR thing get going," he added.

But these projects, he said, are part of a process and will move forward regardless of who is governor.

Lawmakers from both parties were positive about Freudenthal's performance during seven-plus years as chief executive.

Sen. Eli Bebout, R-Riverton, who lost to Freudenthal in a close race for governor in 2002, said he respects the governor's decision and knows it was not an easy one.

The governor, he said, has tried to minimize the impact on the state of the federal government's handling of wolves and sage grouse.

"I think he really tried to represent Wyoming against the intrusiveness of the federal government, and he did that," Bebout said.

"When we had huge energy development, he did the balancing act," said Sen. Kathryn Sessions, D-Cheyenne.

"He tried to preserve those things that we hold most dear in this state -- our water, our air, our mountains, our open space. He was the balancer between all of that and industry and money and all the stuff on the other side," Sessions said.

"He did so much for our kids, for juvenile justice, recognizing that what was happening to young people was not acceptable and using his office to make the improvements that needed to be made," she added.

Rep. Roy Cohee, R-Casper, a former House speaker, said Freudenthal has done a good job.

"In the last eight years we've been fortunate, and I think we have done a fair job investing, saving and spending appropriately," Cohee said.

Rep. Rodney "Pete" Anderson, R-Pine Bluffs, said Freudenthal has been a very popular governor.

"But he's obviously had a free ride with the financial part of the state," Anderson said. "I don't know why he'd want to go back in when it'd be such a problem after that (success)."

House Speaker Colin Simpson, R-Cody, a probable candidate for the Republican gubernatorial nomination, said Freudenthal has been a fine governor.

"And I applaud his love for the state and the way that's been portrayed during his tenure as governor. He'll be remembered as, I think, a well-liked, popular governor who's led Wyoming through some exceptional times," Simpson said.

Freudenthal said he told his staff Thursday morning that his decision to close one door is "kind of bittersweet."

One one hand, he said, "I'm 59, I've got a great life ahead of me, and things look good."

"On the other hand, it's been a grand adventure, and you hate for it to end," Freudenthal said.

Contact capital bureau reporter Joan Barron at 307-632-1244 or joan.barron@trib.com

What they're saying

Here are some comments about Gov. Dave Freudenthal's announcement that he won't seek re-election:

"He tried to preserve those things that we hold most dear in this state -- our water, our air, our mountains, our open space. He was the balancer between all of that and industry and money and all the stuff on the other side."

-- Sen. Kathryn Sessions, D-Cheyenne

"Anybody that has dedicated that many years to public service needs to be commended and respected for the sacrifices that they’ve made in the public service."

-- Republican gubernatorial candidate Ron Micheli

"He'll be remembered as, I think, a well-liked, popular governor who's led Wyoming through some exceptional times."

-- House Speaker Colin Simpson, R-Cody

"He left the state in a good place. ...I have said publicly many times that I think Gov. Freudenthal's done a pretty good job for Wyoming."

-- Republican gubernatorial candidate Matt Mead

"It's obviously going to be a new era for the state, and it's also a loss for the state, too. He's done a magnificent job for eight years."

-- State Sen. Mike Massie, D-Laramie

"Thank you to the governor and certainly to Mrs. Freudenthal for their service to the state of Wyoming. He's been in that office going into his eighth year, and I know full well the toll that takes on both the governor and his family."

-- State Auditor Rita Meyer, GOP gubernatorial candidate

"Dave has been a good spokesman and salesman for our state. His fiscal conservatism and his recognition of the power of the Legislature has resulted in good things getting done and bad things from happening. Assuming the rest of the year goes well, Dave will be pleased with his legacy, and I thank him for his service."

-- U.S. Sen. Mike Enzi, R-Wyo.

"Gov. Freudenthal has created a lasting legacy for our state. There's no question that Dave always puts Wyoming first. We've enjoyed a great working relationship, and our state has excelled under his leadership."

-- U.S. Sen. John Barrasso, R-Wyo.