TALLAHASSEE -- Sparing Miami-Dade County a potentially vicious mayoral race, state House Speaker Marco Rubio said Thursday that he won't run against incumbent Mayor Carlos Alvarez.

''First off, it wasn't right for me. And second, he needs more time,'' Rubio said of Alvarez, who is only in his second year as strong mayor of Miami-Dade.

But that doesn't mean the public has seen the last of Rubio, who leaves office in November because of term limits.

The West Miami Republican could appear on TV any day now, he says, because he's in talks with a Spanish-language media group he wouldn't name to provide election-year commentary. And, he said, he wants to run for office in the future, but wouldn't say if it's for governor or the state or U.S. Senate.

''I have a passion for politics, a passion for public service. And I want to be on the ballot in the future. I want to run for political office, but not in 2008,'' Rubio said. ``This is a year where I need to focus on my family, on my legal career and spend some time involved in the process from a different perspective.''

TIGHT-LIPPED

A big reason Rubio doesn't want to talk about which office he'd seek: It would interfere with his possible stint as a pundit, commentator or analyst. ''If you're a declared candidate, you can't do those things,'' he said.

Rubio's next-likeliest political move: a run for the state Senate seat that Republican Sen. Alex Diaz de la Portilla will leave in 2010 due to term limits.

Thanks to a recent change in election law that allows politicians to run for other jobs without resigning their seats, Rubio could then run for U.S. Senate in 2012 against incumbent Democrat Bill Nelson. Nelson's office had no comment.

Other options: a run for chief financial officer in 2010 if Democratic CFO Alex Sink runs against Republican Gov. Charlie Crist. Or a run for governor in 2014, assuming Crist doesn't find a job earlier with John McCain if the Republican wins the White House this year.

Meantime, Rubio plans to campaign on behalf of McCain, Republicans for the House and Senate and, perhaps, a tax-swap plan that will be on the November ballot.

THE MAYOR'S OFFICE

Rubio toyed with running against Alvarez -- something supporters urged by noting Rubio's rising poll numbers compared to Alvarez's diminishing popularity tied to a controversial $2.9 billion spending plan. Alvarez and Rubio traded parting but veiled shots at each other over the issue.

And things looked like they could get vicious.

''A race that does not involve Rubio running against Alvarez is good for the community,'' said Ron Book, über-lobbyist and political insider. ``Keeping the community from a 90-day slugfest is beneficial. Marco reached the same conclusion, which is Alvarez has done a good job.''

Rubio didn't quite say that, but said he and Alvarez are friends, that their kids go to the same school and that ``we've never been rivals. . . . It's not about him.''

'BURDEN' REMOVED

Alvarez's campaign spokesman, Jose Riesco, said, ''We're all proud of what Marco did as speaker'' and that Rubio's decision ''does take somewhat of a burden off'' but that they're still preparing for opponents.

''This is a very challenging community. It has some unique challenges, in terms of race and bringing a diverse community together behind a common vision. It's a big job, and it requires someone who has a passion and vision for it,'' Rubio said.

``My passion is more about the issues that affect the state of Florida and the United States.''

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