Gov. David Vitter? Decision Whether to Run Coming Soon

Sen. David Vitter (J. Scott Applewhite/AP Photo)

Sen. David Vitter, R-La., is mulling a run to be the next governor of Louisiana and will make a decision about a potential 2015 bid next month.

In an e-mail to friends and supporters today, Vitter said he will weigh his options about a gubernatorial run over the Christmas break.

"Many good friends and supporters have encouraged me to run for Governor in 2015 - to bring my focus and leadership to the challenges we face as a state," Vitter said. "We started to consider this as a family over Thanksgiving. We certainly haven't made our decision yet, so we'll be reflecting and praying on it very carefully through the Christmas holidays."

Vitter told the Associated Press on Tuesday that he thinks 2015 would make the most sense for him to run for governor.

"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 has represented Louisiana in the Senate since 2005. Prior to that, he served in the House of Representatives from 1999 to 2005.

In 2007, Vitter was embroiled in a prostitution scandal after his phone number appeared in the phone records of the D.C. madam, who ran a high-end Washington escort service. Vitter later apologized for what he called a "very serious sin."

Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal cannot run for re-election because he is term-limited. Other Republicans considering a bid for governor include Louisiana's Lieutenant Gov. Jay Dardenne and state Treasurer John Kennedy.