By Rachel Kapochunas, CQ Staff

Democratic Rep. Robert E. Andrews Thursday formally announced plans to run for re-election to his 1st District New Jersey seat, replacing his wife, a placeholder candidate, on the November ballot.

In a statement, Andrews noted the strong encouragement he received from the local community and elected leaders to get back into the race after having bowed out earlier to mount an unsuccessful primary challenge to Sen. Frank R. Lautenberg .

Andrews told reporters on a conference call following the announcement that he passed up a lucrative position with financial and securities firm Goldman Sachs that was “more wealth than [his] family could have ever imagined” to re-enter the House race.

He said his “heart” told him to remain in Congress.

“There’s something about public service that becomes a way of life and a life commitment and not simply a job,” Andrews said.

In addition, Andrews said the loss of a senior member of Congress in the region would have been detrimental to the local community.

Andrews’ campaign circulated statements of support Thursday from state House speaker Joe Roberts and the Democratic chairs of Camden, Gloucester and Burlington counties in the district.

The county committees of the 1st District are scheduled to meet Monday, Andrews said, and will then decide on a party nominee to replace Camille Andrews.

The state deadline for primary nominees to withdraw their names from the ballot is Sept. 14. In the event of a withdrawal, county officials must choose a replacement candidate by Sept. 17.

Andrews shocked the political establishment in April by filing to run against Lautenberg. With days remaining until the filing deadline passed to put up a 1st District replacement candidate, local leaders rallied around Andrews’ wife, lawyer Camille Andrews. Camille Andrews stated a desire to represent the district but agreed to serve as a placeholder if party leaders so desired.

Democrats in the state speculated that Andrews had created a fall back for himself in the event he lost the Senate primary. The congressman lost his Senate primary to Lautenberg June 3, the same day his wife easily clinched the 1st district nomination over several unknowns.

Andrews repeatedly stated he would not be a House candidate in November. He said Thursday he was confident voters would judge him on his record and accomplishments.

The Republican seeking the seat, minister Dale Glading has hit out at Camille Andrews throughout the campaign, challenging her to actively seek the seat and blasting Democratic party leaders for what he viewed as their control of the electoral process.