Should Price Run for U.S. Senate?

Friday's announcement by U.S. Sen. Saxby Chambliss that he won't be running for a third term in 2014 has fueled further speculation about who might be vying for his seat.

But even before the Georgia Republican said he was stepping down, U.S. Rep. Tom Price has been thought to be mulling a campaign.

Price, a Roswell Republican who represents Northeast Cobb in the Sixth District of Georgia, hasn't made any formal public comment since Friday.

The Washington website Politico quoted a Price spokesman Friday afternoon saying that the Congressman "is speaking with a number of folks from across the state of Georgia" as he weighs a possible bid for the office.

The day before Chambliss' announcement, Price wouldn't comment to MSNBC's Chuck Todd about a possible Republican primary challenge.

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On Saturday, Newt Gingrich, a former East Cobb resident who held the Sixth District seat when he was Speaker of the House, told Wolf Blitzer of CNN that he has spoken with Price and indicated Price likely will be running.

Other possible contenders include Republican Congressman Phil Gingrey of Marietta, Georgia Republican Congressmen Paul Broun and Jack Kingston and former Georgia Secretary of State Karen Handel.

Chambliss cited Washington gridlock for his decision to retire, but his willingness to work with Democrats on the federal debt ceiling and other fiscal issues frustrated some conservatives.

Some pundits have speculated that Chambliss bowed out in part to avoid a primary fight, especially after he disavowed a no-tax pledge demanded by Republican political advocate Grover Norquist.

Price figures to be asked more about a possible candidacy when he speaks to the North Fulton Chamber of Commerce on Tuesday.