MARIETTA, Ga. --- The chairman of the Cobb County commission jumped into the 2010 election Tuesday -- but not for the seat he was expected to seek.

Sam Olens surprised supporters by announcing he will run for attorney general. He'd said just a few days earlier that he was considering a run for governor.

On Tuesday he said the attorney general's race would be less grueling for his family and allow him to continue his duties at the helm of one of Georgia's most populous counties.

"You have to be able to do the job you have now," he said, adding that many would-be occupants of the governor's mansion are "running 24-7" with the primaries still more than a year away.

His decision not to enter the crowded governor's race heightened speculation about who else would. The buzz Tuesday centered on U.S. Rep. Lynn Westmoreland, a Grantville Republican. A spokesman for him said Mr. Westmoreland had discussed the race with his family over the weekend but that no announcement was imminent.

Already in are three Republicans: Secretary of State Karen Handel, Insurance Commissioner John Oxendine and state Rep. Austin Scott. Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle's withdrawal last week because of health problems has other Republicans considering the race. He had been considered a front-runner to win the GOP nomination.

On the Democratic side, Attorney General Thurbert Baker, House Minority Leader DuBose Porter and former Georgia National Guard Commander David Poythress are running.

Meanwhile, the attorney general's contest is shaping up as potentially competitive.

Already, two Democrats are vying to replace Mr. Baker. State Rep. Rob Teilhet, of Smyrna, and Ken Hodges, former district attorney for Dougherty County now in private practice in Atlanta.

Mr. Olens is the first Republican to announce for the race. Others are considering it: state Rep. Ed Lindsey, of Atlanta; state Rep. David Ralston, of Blue Ridge, who ran for the seat in 1998 and state Sen. Judson Hill, of Marietta.