Rep. Neil Abercrombie (D-Hawaii) told his supporters Friday afternoon that he is leaving Congress before his term ends to focus on his 2010 bid for governor. Abercrombie’s decision to resign early sets up a special election sometime next year in the Aloha State, although the timing is unclear because the Congressman did not announced a specific date for his departure.

In his announcement on his campaign Web site, Abercrombie said he would make a more formal announcement on Sunday.

“I will soon set a firm date for my final day in office. My immediate priority is to fulfill those remaining duties that require my participation and pave the way for our next representative,” Abercrombie wrote. He added that he had informed the White House, Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), and the other members of Hawaii’s congressional delegation of his decision.