Citing an issue he covered with the Brookhaven Rotary last year, U.S. Sen. Saxby Chambliss announced on Friday that he is not seeking re-election in 2014.

“This is about frustration, both at a lack of leadership from the White House and at the dearth of meaningful action from Congress, especially on issues that are the foundation of our nation’s economic health," Chambliss said in a statement. "The debt-ceiling debacle of 2011 and the recent fiscal-cliff vote showed Congress at its worst and, sadly, I don’t see the legislative gridlock and partisan posturing improving anytime soon.

"For our nation to be strong, for our country to prosper, we cannot continue to play politics with the American economy.

In a speech before the Brookhaven Rotary in January 2012, Chambliss said, "Our number one security interest in America is not al-Qaeda. It’s our debt.' We’re looking at a reduction in defense spending like you’ve never seen. We can see another 600 million in defence reduction over the next 10 years. If that happens, I can tell you it will be a hallow military representating the United states of America."

Chambliss said he was confident he would have won re-election had he decided to seek another term.

Patch wants to know: who should run for Chambliss' seat? One of Brookhaven's influental Republican lawmakers, such as Mike Jacobs? What about U.S. Rep. Tom Price, who represents a tiny portion of Brookhaven and Chamblee in his 6th Congressional District?

On the Democratic side, state Rep. Scott Holcomb, who represents a portion of Brookhaven, is no stranger to statewide campaigns, having once run for Georgia secretary of state.

Share your thoughts and suggestions in the Comments section below.

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