PORTLAND (AP) – The former tough-talking police chief of Maine’s largest city said Monday that he has decided against running for governor of Maine and will remain in his current law enforcement job in Pennsylvania.

Michael Chitwood said that informal polling showed he would be “unbeatable” in southern Maine but that support was weaker elsewhere. He also balked at having to raise $2 million that he was told would be necessary to be a viable candidate.

For now, Chitwood said he was happy to be serving as police chief in Upper Darby, Pa. “I’m still passionate about what I’m doing,” he said.

During 17 years in Portland, the former Philadelphia cop became one of the highest-profile law enforcement officials in Maine.

Chitwood, who left Portland nearly five months ago, said he was flattered that supporters encouraged him to run as either an independent or a Republican against Democratic Gov. John Baldacci, who is seeking a second term.

He said he thought Baldacci was a good man but suggested the state needs someone who’d be more aggressive in tackling the state’s problems. “They need someone who’s going to grab the bull by the horns,” he said, without elaborating.

If he had run, Chitwood said he would have run as a Republican.

Republicans who have already announced that they are running in the June primary are state Sen. Chandler Woodcock of Farmington, state Sen. Peter Mills of Cornville and former U.S. Rep. David Emery of St. George.

Independent Nancy Oden of Jonesboro and Green Party candidate Pat LaMarche of Yarmouth are also running.

Baldacci was unopposed within his party until Robert Bizier, 45, of Albion, a self-employed carpenter, switched from an independent to the Democratic Party so he could challenge Baldacci in the primary.

Rumors that Chitwood was considering a gubernatorial bid surfaced last month and informal polling was conducted on his behalf.

Chitwood consulted with Joseph Boulos, a Portland developer, and Republican Sen. Susan Collins, though he noted Collins wasn’t supporting any specific candidate.

There’s bad blood between Baldacci and Boulos, with Boulos accusing Baldacci of reneging on a promise to support a local option tax. The lack of action killed Boulos’ proposal for a $250 million arena-office-hotel complex in Portland.

While the informal polling showed strength in southern Maine, Chitwood recognized that his support for gun control laws would have caused problems for him in northern Maine, where hunting traditions are stronger.

He also said that he would have had to solicit money from outside Maine to reach the $2 million mark. “That’s not my style,” he said.

Nonetheless, Chitwood didn’t rule out a future foray into Maine politics.

“One thing that I’ve learned it to never say never,” he said. “It’s still a great place. I won’t say never because you never know what the future holds.”

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