West Georgia mayor says she won’t run for governor in 2018

ATLANTA (AP) - A west Georgia Democrat has decided not to run for governor in 2018, removing her name from a list of potential candidates.

Columbus Mayor Teresa Tomlinson said in a written statement Wednesday that she will focus on leading the city and her work on behalf of Sweet Briar College in Virginia.

Tomlinson is a former student and chairs the board of directors at the private women’s college which was due to close in 2015 until alumnae prompted a mediated settlement keeping the doors open.

Tomlinson says may run for statewide office in the future.

Republicans Casey Cagle, Hunter Hill and Brian Kemp are seeking to replace term-limited Gov. Nathan Deal. Democrat Stacey Abrams is exploring a bid and is expected to run. The field is still expected to grow.