PROVIDENCE, R.I. - House Speaker William J. Murphy is not denying a report that he has informed his top lieutenants in the State House that he does not intend to run for reelection in 2010, and is backing House Majority Leader Gordon Fox's campaign to succeed him.

After the report surfaced on the RIFuture.org blog, Murphy issued this statement through his press secretary, Larry Berman: "I have no official comment on any information that appeared on a blog. I am looking forward to the House reconvening on Oct. 28 and 29, and then I will be preparing for the 2010 session."

That Fox would campaign so openly for what is arguably the most powerful position in the State House has been a clear sign that Murphy does not intend to run again after this term, so the report did not contain unexpected news.

A competitior for the post - Rep. Gregory Schadone, said a backer who was at the meeting between Murphy and the House committee chairs - confirmed the report to him directly. Schadone, D-North Providence, said it did not make any difference in his own campaign for the spot.