He passed on running for the White House in 2012 and it seems like Sen. John Thune may take a pass again in 2016

The two-term Republican senator from South Dakota says he has no plans to make a bid for the White House.

Thune made his comments Thursday during a question and answer session with a classroom full of second graders at Mark Twain Elementary School in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.

"Do I plan on running for president?" Thune said, answering the question of a young student. "I don't. I enjoy the job I have. And being the president is a very, very hard job."

Thune's event was covered by KELO-TV.

The next race for the White House is still a long way out, and Thune's comments Thursday were not a definitive declaration that he won't run for president.

In the past presidential cycle, Thune ruled out a bid and instead backed eventual GOP nominee Mitt Romney.

Thune, who is a member of the Senate Republican leadership, was first elected to the chamber in 2004, narrowly defeating incumbent Tom Daschle, the Senate Democratic leader at the time. Thune ran unopposed for re-election in 2010, and faces re-election again in 2016, which coincides with the next presidential election.