U.S. Rep. Ron Kind, D-Wis., announced Thursday he will not join the race for governor in 2010.

Kind said despite being urged by many people to make a bid for governor, he would rather concentrate on his current work in Congress.

“I can’t run for governor,” Kind said during a conference call. “My job is to stay fo-cused on the health care reform that is pending so that we can deliver affordable, quality, accessible health care to all Wisconsin families.”

According to Kind, 230 people in the state lose their health insurance coverage daily, and over 57,000 people in western Wisconsin — his congressional district— do not have health care. Kind said because of this, proper health care reform is his primary concern.

Kind said his choice was a personal one he made with his family, separate from politics.

When asked if he thought a Democrat will be elected governor given the tough state budget and economic situation, Kind said it will be a “looking forward” campaign.

“I think we have so many strong assets going for us as a state right now, and that’s what I am hoping this next gubernatorial campaign is going to be about,” Kind said.

Kind also said he has many ideas for health care improvements, including how people pay for health care. For example, Kind said health care payment and reimbursement systems should be based on quality and value, not volume.

When asked about another possible Democratic gubernatorial candidate — Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett — Kind said he and Barrett are very close friends and have a lot of mutual respect.

“Tom has a decision to make, and when he makes it, I’m sure we will have subsequent conversations,” Kind said. “It is a deeply personal decision whether to run for governor or not, and I know Tom is going through that process himself, along with his family and friends.”

Kind added he thinks his announcement will encourage more candidates to consider running for governor.

Barrett was unavailable for comment as of press time.

Lt. Gov. Barbara Lawton is the only Democrat to have officially announced candidacy for the gubernatorial race. In a statement, Lawton praised Kind for his work in Congress and said she looks forward to working with him in the future on job creation and health care reform.

“Congressman Ron Kind is a tremendous voice for western Wiscon-sin families as a member of Congress,” Lawton said in a statement. “I respect that service, as well as the decision he announced today.”

Milwaukee County Executive Scott Walker, a Republican candidate for governor, said he is focused on getting the economy back on track because citizens are worried about their jobs, families and the economy.

Mark Neumann, a former congressman and another Republican candidate, said Kind’s announcement was a little surprising for him, but it does not seriously affect his campaign.

“We will continue to follow a positive position to bring jobs to the state no matter who is running on other side,” Neumann said.