By AMY JONES / Associate Editor

The list of state legislators considering a 2014 run for U.S. Rep. Spencer Bachus’ 6th Congressional District seat continues to shrink.

Bachus announced Sept. 30 he will not run for re-election in the U.S. House when his term expires in December 2014.

State Sen. Slade Blackwell, R-Birmingham, announced Oct. 8 he will not run for the 6th Congressional seat.

Blackwell said in a statement that he plans to seek re-election to his District 15 seat in the Alabama State Senate.

“I’ve been overwhelmed by the outpouring of support and encouragement I have received over the past several days. I’m confident that I can make the greatest difference in improving the lives of Alabamians by continuing my work in Montgomery as state senator for Jefferson, Shelby and Talladega counties,” Blackwell wrote in the statement. “I have been honored with the confidence the people of District 15 entrusted in me in 2010, and I hope they will allow me to continue working for them in Montgomery for another four years.”

State Sen. Cam Ward, R-Alabaster, has already said he will not run for Bachus’ seat, choosing instead to run for re-election to the state senate.