Jesse Ventura won't run for U.S. Senate

Jesse Ventura speaks to the media after appointing Independent Dean Barkley as the senatorial replacement for Paul Wellstone at the governor's office in the state capitol in St. Paul, Minnesota, November 4, 2002.

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Former Minnesota governor and pro wrestler Jesse Ventura has ended speculation over his political future, announcing on Monday he will not run for the U.S. Senate in Minnesota this year.

Ventura, an independent who served as governor from 1999-2003, had been considering challenging incumbent Republican Norm Coleman and Democrat Al Franken, a comedian, author and former radio talk show host.

Ventura, who during his wrestling career was known by the nickname "The Body," cited family concerns and unwanted media attention for his decision. But there were other considerations.

"It was a difficult decision but it came down to almost this -- surfing versus the Senate and I found surfing to be much more honorable than the Senate," Ventura said. "The ocean doesn't lie to you. The waves don't lie to you. My government does lie to me today."

With the Tuesday deadline for entering the Minnesota Senate race hours away, Ventura said it would take "an act of God" to make him change his mind at this point. (Reporting by JoAnne Allen, editing by Alan Elsner)