U.S. Rep. Lynn Westmoreland has announced he will not seek the U.S. Senate seat being vacated by Saxby Chambliss next year.
“I would like to thank those who offered their encouragement and support over the last week as I considered a run for the United States Senate,” Westmoreland said. “After discussing it with family and friends, and after much deliberation and prayer, I have made the decision to not pursue a statewide office at this time. I am honored to be serving as the U.S. Congressman for Georgia’s Third District. I look forward to continuing my work in that role, as well as in my new roles with the Financial Services Committee and at the National Republican Congressional Committee, and working to advance the principles of limited government and personal responsibility.”
Westmoreland had said last week while speaking with Harris County business leaders he was considering a run for the office. He has been a congressman since 2005.
“It’s been nice having people think (the Senate) is something I can do,” he said.
He also said last week he believes Georgia’s Congressional delegation should sit and talk about a potential Republican nominee before the field gets crowded, and he expects up to 10 people could seek the office.
“We will lose our influence if five or six (Congressmen) wind up running,” Westmoreland said, and that would also drain the resources of the Republican national committee if several candidates wound up needing support.
“People outside politics may wind up running,” he said. “We could get a self-funded candidate. That would make things rougher.”
He also expressed fondness for his district, which includes all of Troup County.
“I like doing what I’m doing,” he said. “I represent a little piece of heaven. To me, running for office is about what you can accomplish for your district. I enjoy helping people in their every day life.”
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