Georgia: Tom Graves Not Running for Senate
Georgia Republican Rep. Tom Graves said Monday he would not run for the state’s open Senate seat, narrowing the potential field of GOP congressmen running statewide in 2014 to four.
“My decision rested on what would be best for my family, my district and the state of Georgia, and I have concluded that the right path for now is to forgo this Senate race and continue serving in my current role,” Graves said in a statement.
Republican Rep. Paul Broun is the only declared candidate in the Senate race. GOP Reps. Jack Kingston, Phil Gingrey and Tom Price are considering bids, along with a number of current and former state elected officials.
Democratic Rep. John Barrow is also considered a potential candidate for the seat currently held by retiring GOP Sen. Saxby Chambliss.
Graves, first elected to Congress in a 2010 special election, didn’t rule out future bids for higher office. “[I]t is important for my supporters to know that I intend to continue preparing for future opportunities to serve Georgia,” he said.
The news was first reported by the Atlanta Journal-Constitution Monday morning.