State Sen. David Shafer announced his intentions for 2010 via e-mail this morning:

With Casey Cagle's decision to run for Governor, Georgians must elect a new Lieutenant Governor in 2010. I wanted to let you know that, with the support of my family and the encouragement of my colleagues in the General Assembly, I will seek this office.

I have filed paperwork creating a campaign committee so that we can prepare for the effort. Chuck Clay will serve as chairman of the committee, and Bartow Morgan will serve as treasurer. Chuck is a former Senate Republican Leader and past State Chairman of the Georgia Republican Party. Bartow is the CEO of The Brand Banking Company, Gwinnett County's oldest and largest community bank.

We will formally kick off the campaign in the spring after the Legislative Session ends. But to raise start-up funds, we will have a reception on Thursday, January 8, 2009, from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. on the 49th Floor of One Atlantic Center (the old IBM Tower) in Atlanta. I will be sure to send you an invitation.

I am confident in our ability to raise the funds and assemble the statewide network necessary to win this race. Over 120 current and former members of the General Assembly, from every corner of our great state, have already agreed to endorse my candidacy.

To listen to our speeches during campaign season, there is little disagreement among us. We all articulate a belief in the conservative ideals of low taxes, limited government, free enterprise and personal responsibility. What we need is leadership that will bring us together to advance these ideals.

I would be honored to have your support. If you are willing to help me in this effort, please reply to this email or drop me a note at david@votedavid.com.

I wish you and your family the very best during this Holiday Season and the coming New Year. I appreciate your friendship and look forward to seeing you again soon.