Houston ? Presidential hopeful Ron Paul said he will not run as a third-party candidate in a new message to supporters that seems to recognize his slim chances at getting the Republican nomination.

The Texas congressman wrote on his Web site Friday that he is making cuts to his national campaign staff and that he must also stay focused on not losing the primary for his House seat.

Paul wrote that while he does not denigrate third parties, he is committed to staying a Republican. His campaign supports low taxes and reduced government spending.

Paul’s latest entry on his Web site also included a request that supporters not neglect his other “priority,” which is making sure that the 10-term congressman remains in office.

“If I were to lose the primary for my congressional seat, all our opponents would react with glee, and pretend it was a rejection of our ideas,” Paul wrote. “I cannot and will not let that happen.”