ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — The same day former Massachusetts Gov. William Weld said he was interested in running for governor of New York, an internal memo issued to partners in his investment firm discounted any such bid.

The two-paragraph memo from Leeds Weld ‘ Co. to its “limited partners” stated, in part: “While it has always been Bill’s practice `never to say never,’ Bill is not running for governor of New York or for any other office.” The memo, a copy of which was obtained by The Associated Press on Monday, said Weld “is full-time engaged in the business of Leeds Weld ‘ Co.”

There are no signatures on the memo but it shows it came from Jeffrey T. Leeds and Weld.

The memo was obtained from a source who provided it on condition of anonymity.

A spokesman at Leeds Weld ‘ Co., a private equity investment firm where Weld is a partner, didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment.

On the day of the memo, April 26, state Republican officials said Weld was considering running for governor or for the U.S. Senate representing New York, where he was raised and moved back to in 2000. Later that day, Weld said he was seriously considering entering the 2006 New York governor’s race if fellow Republican George Pataki does not seek a fourth term.

New York Magazine on April 26 reported that Weld has been telling associates that GOP leaders approached him about running. State GOP Chairman Stephen Minarik has said he hasn’t met with Weld.

Minarik “has not sat down with Bill Weld to talk about any race. This is nothing more than media-driven speculation,” said Ryan Moses, executive director of the state Republican Committee.

Pataki has not yet announced if he will seek a fourth term next year. Former New York City Mayor Rudolph Giuliani, a Republican, may also run for governor but an aide has said Giuliani is too busy with private business interests to run for governor.

Democratic state Attorney General Eliot Spitzer has announced he’s running for governor.

If Weld ran for U.S. Senate, he would face Democratic incumbent Hillary Rodham Clinton.

Sam Houston is the only two-state governor in history, having served as governor of Tennessee from 1827 to 1829 and Texas from 1859 to 1861.