NASHVILLE (AP) — When state Sen. Mark Green abandoned his bid for Tennessee governor in June after his failed nomination for Army secretary, he said he would turn his attention to a "higher capacity" in Washington.

But the Ashland City Republican announced Wednesday that that won't include a run for the U.S. House or Senate next year.

The Tennessean reports that Green said in a talk radio interview that he will instead remain in the state Legislature and launch a nationwide foundation aimed at recruiting people of faith to run for office.

Green told WWTN-FM host Ralph Bristol he won't rule out a run for higher office in the future.

Some Tennessee conservatives had held out hope that Green would run for U.S. Sen. Bob Corker's seat in next year's Republican primary.