Associated Press:

U.S. Rep. Bob Ney, dogged by an influence peddling probe in Washington, will not seek re-election, state Sen. Joy Padgett said early Monday.

Ney called Padgett on Saturday and asked the fellow Republican to run in his place, saying that defending himself has been a strain on his family, she said...

She said Ney told her, "that there's only so much he can take. He said, 'I have to do this.'"

Padgett told The Associated Press she would run for Ney's seat.

UPDATE: Ney confirms he's not running and releases statement.