Peachtree

City resident Lewis Jordan has taken himself off

the list of potential contenders for the U.S.

Senate seat formerly held by Paul Coverdell.

Jordan,

the founder of ValuJet airlines, had been courted

candidate to run against Zell Miller in the

special election that will be held Nov. 7 to fill

Coverdell's unexpired term. Miller was recently

appointed to fill Coverdell's spot by Georgia

Gov. Roy Barnes.

The

56-year-old Jordan had told The Citizen Tuesday

afternoon that he planned to run for the seat. He

was in Philadelphia for the Republican National

Convention.

This

would have been Jordan's first experience seeking

political office. Previously he has helped

Coverdell's fund-raising efforts and those of

other political candidates he supported.

The

move apparently clears the way for former senator

Mack F. Mattingly of St. Simons, who was also

heavily supported by some members of Republican

leadership to run against Miller, the popular

former Georgia governor.

In

a statement released Wednesday, Jordan thanked

all those who called he and his wife, Peggy, with

support and encouragement during his

contemplation of running for the seat.

"I

am deeply appreciative of the support that has

come from every part of our state and I am

personally honored to have been urged so strongly

to represent the people of Georgia in this

important race," Lewis said. "However,

in the interest of party unity and after careful

consideration of what I believe is in the best

interest of my family, I have chosen not to run

for the United States Senate."

Jordan

said he wants to see that a Republican is elected

to Coverdell's seat.

"I

am confident that is what Paul would expect and

therefore plan to do everything that I can to

that end," Jordan noted.

"Although

I have never run for political office, I am

honored to have been so seriously considered for

such an important role. I chose to believe that

this privilege was offered to me because we in

America still place great value on courage,

integrity and human sensitivity. To all those who

have helped me and who have offered their

support, I extend my most sincere

gratitude."

Jordan

currently operates Wingspread Enterprises, an

investment and consulting firm that helps fund

start-up companies.

Jordan

and his wife, Peggy, have six grown children and

live in the Interlochen subdivision, where they

moved in 1993 when ValuJet started up in Atlanta.

By

noon Thursday, a total of six people had

qualified for the seat, including Mattingly and

Miller. Also qualifying were:

Rob Ballenger, a

lawyer from Summerville.

Paul Robert

MacGregor of Alpharetta, President and CEO of

eTiburon Corporation.

Moreton Rolleston

Jr., a lawyer from Atlanta.

Winnie Walsh, a

retired free-lance writer from Savannah.