Jim Greer, chairman of the Florida Republican Party, expects to field a strong challenger to freshman Democratic Rep. Suzanne M. Kosmas in the state’s 24th Congressional District. But Greer publicly stated Tuesday that he will not be the candidate for the central Florida seat.

In an interview with CQ Politics following his announcement, Greer said he remains focused on recruiting top-tier candidates to take on the two Democrats who ousted Republicans in the 2008 elections: Kosmas, who unseated three-term Rep. Tom Feeney in the 24th, and Alan Grayson, who defeated four-term incumbent Ric Keller in the adjacent 8th District.

Referring to the district numbers, Greer said, “My first priority has always been to find candidates in 24 and in 8 that could win those seats back for us.”