Former City Councillor At-Large Michael Flaherty said Tuesday he will not be a candidate in the race to replace former state Sen. Jack Hart. Flaherty, a South Boston Democrat, unsuccessfully ran for mayor in 2009 and fell short in his bid to return to a City Council At-Large slot in 2011.

Below is his Facebook post:

I want to thank my friends and family who have encouraged me to run for the State Senate. I know this district well, and in all of my campaigns I have received my strongest support in these neighborhoods. I am excited about serving the people of Dorchester, Hyde Park, Mattapan and South Boston again, but it will not be as their next State Senator. New opportunities to serve are right around the corner, and know I will be ready for them. In the meantime, there will be plenty of campaigns to keep us all busy.

Flaherty has not responded to several voicemails left on his cell phone.