Sonny Perdue says he won't run for Senate in 2014

ATLANTA — Former Ga. Gov. Sonny Perdue says he will not run for Senate in 2014.

Current Sen. Saxby Chambliss, R-Ga., announced last week that he will not seek re-election when his current term ends.

The announcement quickly sparked speculation about who would step in as the Republican nominee.

"We need members of Congress who will stop playing political games and get to the business of addressing our real challenges, just as we have done here in Georgia. Here, we balanced our budget, made government more efficient and did more with less, while Washington continues on its blinding pace to do less with more," Perdue said in a statement.

Despite that, Perdue said a run for U.S. Senate is not in the cards for him.

"While I am flattered by friends from across Georgia who contacted me this weekend and offered their support, running for the U.S. Senate is not in my heart. I am at a stage in life where there are simply too many positive distractions – a dozen grandchildren with number 13 on the way, business obligations and a loving and devoted wife who has absolutely no interest in living in Washington, and who could blame her?" Perdue said.

Perdue served as governor of Georgia from 2003 until 2011.

He said he will be keeping a close eye on the election.

"Georgia Republicans need to seek the same from our next Senator: a serious person capable of thoughtful leadership at a time when, too often, positions of outside interests are substituted for sound policy and the wishes of actual voters.  As Republicans, we have the advantage of being right; let us not squander it," Perdue said.

WSBTV