State Treasurer Ron Crane told local papers on Friday that he will not seek the GOP nomination to challenge freshman Rep. Walt Minnick (D) in 2010.

Crane, who has been the treasurer for over a decade, announced his decision following a trip to Washington, D.C., two weeks ago.

The only announced GOP candidate in the race so far is Marine Corps veteran Vaughn Ward, who is making the rounds in Washington this week.

Though relatively unknown, the Bronze Star recipient does have a political résumé. He served as a legislative aide to former Sen. Dirk Kempthorne (R) and also worked on Sen. John McCain’s (R-Ariz.) presidential campaign. Ward raised a little over $50,000 between mid-February and March for his campaign, according to Federal Election Commission reports.

Former Rep. Bill Sali (R), whom Minnick defeated in 2008, is also still mulling whether to run again.