ATLANTA --- When Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle announced he was withdrawing from next year's race for governor, Georgia Republicans seemed all too eager to take his place.

But a little more than a week after Mr. Cagle bowed out, several prominent Republicans who publicly flirted with jumping into the marquee contest have quickly decided against it.

U.S. Rep. Lynn Westmoreland became the latest Friday. The Coweta County resident said he planned to remain in Congress, "where I think I can make a difference as a legislative fighter."

His announcement capped a week in which Cobb County Commission Chairman Sam Olens and House Speaker Pro Tem Mark Burkhalter also decided against running to replace two-term Gov. Sonny Perdue in next year's election.

So, despite the furious political jockeying that's consumed the Georgia GOP in recent days, the field for the race remains the same: three Republicans and three Democrats.

Political experts said while the lure of the governor's mansion is tempting, candidates are likely being scared off by the grueling demands of the race, which is already kicking into gear with more than a year to go until the primaries next summer.

"It is the toughest office in state politics to win," Emory University political science professor Merle Black said. "It requires intensive campaigning and raising enormous amounts of money ... It's one thing to think and talk about getting into the race. It's quite another thing to line up the support you need to do it."

Many political watchers have predicted the contest could end up being the most expensive in the state's history.

The 2006 race between Mr. Perdue and Democrat Mark Taylor cost a combined $41.7 million, which is believed to be the record in Georgia for governor's races.

Mr. Olens cited the demands of the gubernatorial campaign trail at a news conference earlier in the week where he said he was opting for the less grueling race for attorney general.

The candidates for governor are already running "24-7 now and not doing the jobs they were elected to do," Mr. Olens said.

Mr. Burkhalter has said he will stay put as one of the top Republicans in the House. He also cited the need to stay involved in his real estate and development business during the economic downturn.

Mr. Westmoreland, who is serving his third term in Congress, said he decided against running after giving thought to what a run would mean for his family.

"While my decision will be good news for some and disappointing to others, I believe it's best for me and my family," he said in a statement.

A former state lawmaker, Mr. Westmoreland is one of the more conservative members of the U.S. House.

Republicans in the race for governor so far are Secretary of State Karen Handel, Insurance Commissioner John Oxendine and state Rep. Austin Scott. State Sen. Eric Johnson, currently running for lieutenant governor, is still eying the race for governor after Mr. Cagle's withdrawal.

Mr. Cagle, who was expected to be a front runner for the GOP nomination, pulled out last week, saying he needed to have surgery to repair a degenerative spinal condition. He plans to seek re-election as lieutenant governor.

On the Democratic side, Attorney General Thurbert Baker, House Minority Leader DuBose Porter and former Georgia National Guard Commander David Poythress have said they will run to replace Mr. Perdue. Former Gov. Roy Barnes is also considering the race.