Senate Minority Leader David Hann says he will not be joining the growing crowd of Republicans running for governor in 2014.

In a brief statement Friday, Hann, the ranking Republican in the state Senate, said he has decided to focus his energies on his leadership role in the Legislature, rather than a challenge to Democratic Gov. Mark Dayton. The announcement ended months of speculation about whether Hann, a four-term state senator from Eden Prairie who made a brief run for governor in 2010, would try again.

"Last December, my colleagues in the Senate elected me to be our caucus leader," Hann said. "That job deserves my full attention. In the next election, our caucus will be helping to win the majority for the House Republicans, and we will continue to work toward regaining the majority for Republicans in the Senate in 2016. I look forward to working with all our Republican candidates in 2014 and will do all I can to support them."

Four Republicans are running for governor, with more expected to get into the race throughout the summer — including several members of Hann's Senate caucus. Former House Speaker Kurt Zellers, R-Maple Grove; Sen. Dave Thompson, R-Lakeville; businessman Scott Honour of Orono, and Hennepin County Commissioner Jeff Johnson have all launched gubernatorial campaigns.

Jennifer Brooks • 651-925-5049