WBRZ - Baton Rouge

Secretary of State Jay Dardenne won't challenge U.S. Sen. David Vitter in this fall's election.

Dardenne's announcement Tuesday that he won't enter the Republican primary against Vitter ends months of speculation about Dardenne's intentions.

Republican Gov. Bobby Jindal also has said he doesn't intend to seek the Senate post.

That leaves Democrat U.S. Rep. Charlie Melancon as Vitter's main challenger for the seat.

The party primary election is Aug. 28, and the general election is Nov. 2.