Third District Congressman Zach Wamp (R-Chattanooga) has announced he will not seek election to the U.S. Senate in 2006.

Meanwhile, lame duck Chattanooga mayor and former Republican Senate candidate Bob Corker has formed a fundraising organization aimed at winning the seat and notified both the U.S. Senate and current Tennessee Sen. Bill Frist of his intentions.

The respective decisions, which were interrelated, are detailed in a Friday article published in the Knoxville News Sentinel.

Frist is expected to vacate the seat in 2006, perhaps to embark on a presidential run.

Wamp’s decision narrows the field of likely Republican candidates expected to pursue the seat in 2006. That group still includes U.S. Rep. Marsha Blackburn, former congressmen Van Hilleary and Ed Bryant and state GOP chair Beth Harwell. Conservative talk radio host Steve Gill also has been mentioned as a possible candidate.

Possible Democratic candidates include Memphis Congressman Harold Ford and Nashville Mayor Bill Purcell.