Congressman Paul Broun is expected to announce that he's running for the US Senate seat that Saxby Chambliss is giving up.

The move by the Athens Republican and others expected to run for the seat could set off a chain reaction down the ballot in 2014.

Savannah Republican Jack Kingston also is widely considered to be mulling a run for Chambliss' seat.

If Kingston runs for Senate, Pooler State Senator Buddy Carter could run for Kingston's seat in the House.

That could start a scramble for Carter's seat in the State Senate, which in turn could spark runs at the city and county level.

Former Savannah State Senator Eric Johnson calls it all "exciting."

"This can be a cleansing of the system," Johnson says. "It opens up new blood. It allows those who've earned it to be promoted and to advance. Some of them leave and open the door to fresh faces."

Johnson says he'll make up his mind about running for Kingston's seat when Kingston announces his intentions.

"I won't get out in front of the Congressman on his decision," Johnson says. "I think we'll make our plans known shortly thereafter."

Broun, Kingston, Tom Price of Roswell and Phil Gingrey of Marietta also are reported to be considering throwing their hats into the ring for the Chambliss seat in 2014.

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