U.S. Rep. John Barrow (D-Augusta) will not run for the U.S. Senate seat being vacated by Saxby Chambliss in 2014 and instead will run for re-election to his House seat representing Georgia's 12th Congressional District, the five-term congressman announced this afternoon.
The announcement by Barrow, formerly of Savannah and now of Augusta after redistricting, ends months of speculation that he might enter the Senate race that already has attracted three Republicans from Georgia's congressional delegation _ Reps. Paul Broun of Athens, Phil Gingrey of Marietta and Jack Kingston of Savannah.
"I'm grateful for the encouragement I've received from folks all across the state of Georgia, but I've decided I will not be a candidate for the Senate in 2014," Barrow, 57, said 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."