WASHINGTON, May 8 (UPI) -- U.S. Rep. John Barrow, D-Ga., said he won't seek the state's open U.S. Senate seat, sending Democrats scrambling for a candidate.
"I'm grateful for the encouragement I've received from folks all across the State of Georgia but I've decided that I will not be a candidate for the Senate in 2014," Barrow said Tuesday in a statement. "I enjoy my work on behalf of the folks in the 12th District, and I look forward to continuing to serve them in the House of Representatives."
Republican Sen. Saxby Chambliss announced in January he was retiring at the end of his term.
Roll Call listed several Democrats as possible contenders, including Michelle Nunn, daughter of former Sen. Sam Nunn; former DeKalb County chief officer Vernon Jones, who ran in 2008; state Rep. Scott Holcomb; Rep. Sanford D. Bishop Jr.; and former Attorney General Thurbert Baker.
Three Republicans -- Reps. Paul Broun, Phil Gingrey and Jack Kingston -- have announced they would run. Rep. Tom Price was expected to announce this month whether he will run, and former Georgia Secretary of State Karen Handel is considering her options, Roll Call said.
