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Iraq war veteran Tammy Duckworth has closed the door on the possibility of a run for office in Hawaii, ending speculation that she would launch a bid for the seat currently held by retiring Sen. Daniel Akaka, D-Hawaii -- but leaving the door open on a future run in Illinois.

"As honored as I am by all those who'd like me to run here -- and I get asked that question all the time -- my home and my National Guard unit are in Illinois. And if I run for office again, it'll be there," said Duckworth, according to the Honolulu Star-Advertiser. Duckworth has previously run for Congress in Illinois' 6th District in 2006, losing in the general election.

Duckworth, the Assistant Secretary for Public and Intergovernmental Affairs with the Department of Veterans Affairs, attended high school and college in Hawaii, and Sen. Daniel Inouye, D-Hawaii, had mentioned her as a potential Senate candidate just prior to Akaka's announcement that he wouldn't seek re-election. In March, a "Draft Tammy Duckworth" site popped up.

Rep. Mazie Hirono, D-Hawaii and former Rep. Ed Case are already in the race for the Democratic nomination. The Democratic field is still expected to grow, with Rep. Colleen Hanabusa, former Honolulu Mayor Mufi Hannemann, and Lt. Gov. Brian Schatz all still considering bids. On the Republican side, former Gov. Linda Lingle has said she'll announce her decision on a run by the end of August.

Duckworth had also been floated as a potential candidate for Hirono's House seat.