(CNN) - The 2014 Senate race in Georgia has its first candidate.
Republican Rep. Paul Broun announced Wednesday he's running for the seat currently held by retiring GOP Sen. Saxby Chambliss, who announced last month he's not seeking re-election.
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"Georgians aren't interested in labels or affiliation, they're interested in solutions. And that begins by making Washington smaller and America bigger! That's the reason I'm running for U.S. Senate," Broun said in a statement. He also held an event Wednesday afternoon in Atlanta.
The congressman cited "out-of-control spending in Washington" as his primary motive for running for the upper chamber.
"We must have someone to lead the fight to stop this madness, and restore fiscal restraint to our nation's capital," he said. "Georgia needs a Senator who will take a stand to stop the irresponsible spending. I'll be that leader!"
Other Republican contenders who may jump in the race include Rep. Tom Price, Rep. Jack Kingston, and Rep. Phil Gingrey.
On the Democratic side, Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed said he's not interested in going after the seat, while Rep. John Barrow has said he has no plans to run, either.
Now in his third full term, Broun represents Georgia's 10th Congressional District, which sits in the northeast part of the state. He was first elected in a 2007 special election.
Before winning the special, Broun, a physician, made two unsuccessful attempts at the House and one failed run for an open Senate seat in the 1990s.
He has won favor among religious conservatives and tea party supporters since being in the House. The first bill he introduced called for a ban on all abortions, and he pushed for a ban of Playboy and Penthouse magazines at military bases.
In September, he drew criticism for saying in a speech at a Baptist church that "evolution, embryology, Big Bang theory" are "lies straight from the pit of hell." Critics were quick to point out that the congressman also serves on the House Committee on Science, Space and Technology.
As of the end of 2012, Broun had about $155,000 campaign cash on hand, according to the Federal Election Commission. It's not much at the start of a Senate bid, but with no other contenders as of yet, he's leading in a one-man race.