State Rep. Bobby Reese on Friday became the seventh Republican to enter the race for Georgia’s 9th District congressional seat.

"I’ve had all I could stand, and I can’t stand no more," Reese said of his decision to run.

The seat Reese seeks has been held by U.S. Rep. Nathan Deal, R-Gainesville, since 1992. Deal is not seeking re-election in order to run for Georgia governor in 2010.

Reese, a real estate broker from Sugar Hill, has been serving in the Georgia General Assembly, representing Buford, Sugar Hill and Suwanee, since 1998. He said he plans to register his candidacy Monday for the 9th District race with the Federal Elections Commission.

Reese joins an already brimming pool of candidates vying for the seat, including fellow Republicans Mike Evans of Cumming, a former state representative and former chairman of the state Board of Transportation; Bill Stephens of Cumming, former state Senate majority leader; state Rep. Tom Graves of Ranger; state Sen. Lee Hawkins of Gainesville; Ringgold businessman Jeremy Jones; and Whitfield County Commissioner Mike Cowan.

Independent candidate Eugene Moon of Gainesville also is in the race. No Democrats have yet declared an intent to run.

Reese said he has been considering running for the House post since May 2008.

Although he does not live in the district, Reese said his voting history and political beliefs fit the 9th District "very well." He says he opposes illegal immigration, amnesty for illegal immigrants and he supports health care reform "based on free market principles," according to a news release.

"I live just past the Hall County line," Reese said. "If I lived 10 miles away, I probably wouldn’t do it."

Currently, Reese’s state legislative duties include membership on the Banks and Banking, Education and Appropriations committees. Reese is the vice chairman of both the Industrial Relations Committee and the Budget and Fiscal Affairs Oversight Committee.

Reese and his wife, Marge, have two adult daughters and four grandchildren.