NASHVILLE — State Rep. Kevin Brooks, R-Cleveland, said he will seek re-election to the House District 24 seat he now holds instead of running for an open state Senate seat next year.

“There is still much work to be done to make Cleveland and Bradley County the best possible community in the state of Tennessee,” he said in a news release.

The lawmaker had been considering a run for the Senate District 9 seat now held by Sen. Dewayne Bunch, R-Cleveland. Sen. Bunch said he does not plan to seek re-election in 2010.

The only declared candidate in the contest is now state Rep. Mike Bell, R-Riceville. But former Sen. Lou Patten, R-Cleveland, continues to look at the seat. Rep. Eric Watson, R-Cleveland, took himself out of the running last week, saying he would seek reelection to his House seat.

Rep. Brooks said he feels “incredibly fulfilled serving the people of the 24th District in the ‘People’s House.’

“My family and I are very grateful for the tremendous outpouring of support and encouragement during this process,” he said in the release.