The Sammamish Republican, a former state Senate budget chairman and real estate investor, won the first two tallies for governor last fall, but lost a hand recount to Democrat Christine Gregoire by 129 votes. Republicans are trying to get the election thrown out, saying it was replete with illegal votes and numerous tabulation errors that made the outcome impossible to verify.

Their challenge will be heard in Chelan County Superior Court, beginning May 23.

Rossi dismissed speculation that if his bid for a revote doesn't materialize he'll run against Democratic Sen. Maria Cantwell next year. Cantwell still hasn't drawn a GOP challenger.

"I have four small children and I'm not sure how I'd make it work with the family without upheaval and difficulty for the kids. So, that really is not my focus," Rossi told his hometown newspaper, the King County Journal, in a story published Thursday.

"My focus is running for governor and being governor of the state of Washington and turning the state around. So I'm not running for the U.S. Senate. I'm running for governor."

Rossi has made similar comments before, but the latest interview was his strongest indication yet that he intends to keep his eye on the governor's mansion.

State Republican Chairman Chris Vance said Wednesday that he takes Rossi at his word, but added, "There are people and organizations who will want to change his mind. The Senate campaign committee will try to persuade him otherwise."

Vance himself has been mentioned as a Senate challenger, as have former U.S. Rep. Rick White and insurance company executive Mike McGavick.

Rossi said polling shows he could defeat Cantwell, but that he doesn't see circumstances under which he would run.

"No one can show me how to turn my state around (as a senator) or how I can make it work with a family," said Rossi, whose children range in age from 4 to 14. "I'm not heading that direction."