SOUTHERN TIER, N.Y. -- A Southern Tier congressman under the microscope says he will not seek a second term.

Democrat Eric Massa announced Wednesday he is planning on retiring from Congress when his term ends next January, because of health reasons.

Massa was first diagnosed with non hodgkins lymphoma in 1996 and says his cancer returned in December.

“I'm a very salty guy. A very direct guy. And I run at about 100 miles per hour. And my doctors have made it clear I can no longer do that,” said Congressman Eric Massa.

Massa said he was making his announcement now to give another democrat time to prepare a campaign and dismissed speculation he was stepping back because of complaints made to the House Ethics Committee that he sexually harassed a male staffer.

So far only Corning Mayor and Republican Tom Reed has announced a bid for the seat.