TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- Former congressman turned talk show host Joe Scarborough won't challenge U.S. Rep. Katherine Harris in the Republican U.S. Senate primary, becoming the latest potential candidate to turn down the opportunity.

Scarborough said Saturday he doesn't want to return to politics right now and instead will renew his contract with NBC to host "Scarborough Country" on MSNBC. Harris remains the only major Republican planning to challenge Democratic incumbent Sen. Bill Nelson.

"When party leaders approached me three weeks ago, I told them how difficult a campaign would be this year considering my personal and professional commitments," Scarborough said. "Besides, I never cared for candidates who had to be coaxed into a political battle. Either you feel it in your gut or you don't."

Scarborough cited his show, which is taped in his hometown of Pensacola, and his desire to be at home while his two sons finish high school.

The National Republican Senatorial Committee, led by Sen. Elizabeth Dole of North Carolina, tried to talk Scarborough into challenging Harris. He had planned to talk with White House and Republican National Committee officials this week about the race.

Harris' campaign didn't immediately return calls for comment.

Republicans fear that Harris won't be able to attract Democrats and independents who believe she used her role as Florida's secretary of state to help secure President Bush's 537-vote victory in the disputed 2000 election.

Earlier this month state House Speaker Allan Bense also decided not to run after being courted by the White House, Gov. Jeb Bush and Dole's committee.

Scarborough also said Harris will have a difficult time beating Nelson because she was a central figure in the five-week recount.

"There's a long time for Katherine to rehabilitate herself and there's a long time for someone else to get in the race," Scarborough said. "I'm not so sure that at the last minute, if control of the U.S. Senate is at stake, that (Gov.) Jeb Bush couldn't be persuaded to get in."

Bush, who will leave office after the 2006 election because of term limits, has repeatedly said he will not run for Senate.

While Washington Republicans have not thought highly of Harris' chances, Republican Party of Florida Chairman Carole Jean Jordan has been a believer.

"She certainly has my personal support," Jordan said. "I will look forward to her sending Bill Nelson back to Brevard County where he can continue pretending to be an astronaut."

Nelson, a first term senator, rode on the space shuttle as a congressman before the 1986 Challenger explosion.

"Polling numbers this early are just nothing. They're nothing to be concerned about and nothing compared to the numbers you'll see come election time," Jordan said.

A Nelson spokesman didn't immediately return calls for comment.