Deal probably won't seek Senate seat

WASHINGTON - Congressman Nathan Deal of Gainesville all but took himself out of next year's U.S. Senate race Thursday.

Deal, one day after Senator Zell Miller announced plans to step down, pointed to his tenure in the House as one reason for staying where he is.

"Well, I have ten years of seniority, plus the two years I will accure this time," Deal said. "My seniority in the House is now in the upper one-third."

Deal said he was not surprised that Miller decided not to run for re-election next year, but was surprised by the timing.

"Certainly this is very early and it gives whoever is going to seek the office adequate time to prepare," Deal added.

Deal, by the way, has been elected chairman of the "G-Eight," the coalition of Georgia Republicans in the House who reorganized this week as the new Congress convened.