Former Republican Sen. David Perdue ruled out a Senate bid against Democratic Sen. Raphael Warnock in 2022.
“After much prayer and reflection, Bonnie and I have decided that we will not enter the race for the United States Senate in Georgia in 2022,” Perdue said in an email to supporters, according to the Hill. “This is a personal decision, not a political one. I am confident that whoever wins the Republican Primary next year will defeat the Democrat candidate in the General election for this seat, and I will do everything I can to make that happen.”
Perdue was reportedly considering a comeback after losing to Sen. Jon Ossoff in the Jan 5 runoff elections. Warnock defeated Kelly Loeffler in a simultaneous runoff, handing Democrats control of the Senate.
Perdue filed paperwork last Monday to run against Sen. Warnock. A source close to him said at the time that he had not made a final decision on whether or not to run, but is “leaning heavily towards it” and will likely make up his mind in the coming weeks.
Perdue’s announcement came one day after Loeffler says a possible rematch with Warnock is “certainly on the table”.
Other Georgia lawmakers, like Rep. Doug Collins are also expected to throw their hat in the ring to challenge Warnock, despite warnings to avoid a contentious primary fight similar to the run up to the November election.
