Vitter to decide on run for governor by January

Sen. David Vitter (R-La.) said he is considering running for governor in 2015 and will make a decision by January. 

Vitter told The Associated Press he would be a “significant candidate,” but there are no sure things. 

{mosads}”This is the logical time to do it, if I’m ever going to do it,” Vitter said. “There are strong arguments in either direction, but the general question in my mind is where I think I can make the most positive contribution.”

Vitter, who has served two terms in the Senate, is up for reelection in 2016. Gov. Bobby Jindal (R-La.) is term limited after his current term is up. 

Vitter has been rumored to be mulling a bid for months, but confirmed Tuesday he would send an email to supporters and discuss it with his family. 

He told the wire service he wants to make a decision by January so he would have time to fundraise and lay the groundwork for his campaign. 

A run for governor could dredge up old allegations that Vitter was involved in a prostitution ring in 2007. At the time, he said he had committed a serious sin but has not commented further. 

The Senate Ethics Committee dismissed a complaint about the incident in 2008, partly because it occurred before he entered the Senate.

Vitter won his 2004 Senate race with 51 percent of the vote. After the scandal in 2010, he won again with 57 percent. A recent poll showed him leading a number of potential gubernatorial primary opponents.

Vitter has had high-profile dustups with Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) this year, as the Louisiana Republican has attempted to win a vote on a bill that would end federal subsidies to congressional health plans. 

Earlier this year, Reid alleged that Vitter had been making the push in order to improve his gubernatorial chances.

“Maybe it’ll help him get elected governor, which in my mind, wouldn’t be a bad deal, if you know what I mean,” Reid said in September.