NEW YORK STATE -- Former democratic congressman Dan Maffei is getting closer to a decision to try to regain his seat from the republican who ousted him in 2010, Ann Marie Buerkle.

Should he decide to run, Maffei's path to a nomination is a bit clearer now. One of two democrats also considering seeking the nomination has decided, instead, to seek a State Supreme Court judgeship. Onondaga County Legislator Tom Buckel will not make a congressional bid.

The only named challenger for Maffei, at this point, is Brianne Murphy, a local attorney.