Alabama Supreme Court Chief Justice Sue Bell Cobb says she won’t run for governor next year.

The Democratic chief justice issued a statement Wednesday saying she appreciates people encouraging her to enter the race, but she plans to remain as chief justice.

State law would have required Cobb to resign as chief justice if she entered the governor’s race.

Cobb’s decision leaves U.S. Rep. Artur Davis and Agriculture Commissioner Ron Sparks as the only declared Democratic candidates.