U.S. Rep. Paul Broun announced today he would seek re-election in the 10th District in 2012.

Broun, a physician from Athens, was considered a possible candidate for the proposed new 9th District that includes most of Northeast Georgia, including Hall County.

But in a news release issued today, the Republican said he would remain in the revised 10th District.

"I knew that Georgia's dramatic population growth would require the General Assembly to create an additional congressional district and that the boundaries of the 10th District would change," Broun's statement read. "While I very much regret losing some areas of the district, I am pleased to see that it will retain a portion of the CSRA (Central Savannah River Area), the University of Georgia, the Lake Oconee region, and other vibrant communities that I have been privileged to serve.

"I am enthusiastic about meeting the people and officials of the new communities that the General Assembly included in our newly drawn district."

The proposed new congressional maps remain under discussion in the legislature during its special session at the Capitol. The state Senate was expected to vote on the plan today that has already passed the House.

Gov. Nathan Deal has signed new state Senate and House maps. All the plans must be approved by either the U.S. Department of Justice or the federal courts under the Voting Rights Act before they can become official.