Rep. Lynn Westmoreland (R) indicated Wednesday that he is seriously considering a gubernatorial bid in 2010 and that an official announcement on his future plans could come in a matter of weeks.

Westmoreland’s statements to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution came in light of Cobb County Board of Commissioners Chairman Sam Olens’ surprise announcement on Tuesday that he would forgo running for governor and instead seek the Republican nomination for state attorney general.

“A lot of my closest friends think I need to stay up here … but a lot of other people are saying, We need you at home,’— Westmoreland told the Atlanta paper.

Among the handful of Republican names mentioned as possible candidates to succeed Westmoreland if he does decide to make the move are state Rep. Vance Smith, state Sen. Ronnie Chance, state Rep. Jeff Brown and state Sen. Mitch Seabaugh.