Clarkesville — Georgia State Sen. Nancy Schaefer, R-Turnerville, has withdrawn her candidacy for the 10th District U.S. Congressional seat held by Dr. Paul Broun of Athens.

Mrs. Schaefer, a Habersham County resident, cited her husband’s health concerns as the reason for her withdrawal from the race. She has served the 50th District of Georgia for nearly four years. That district includes eight counties: Banks, Franklin, Habersham, Hart, Rabun, Towns, Union and White.

Georgia’s 10th District serves 21 counties, many of them located along the state’s eastern border with South Carolina. They span an area that begins with a portion of Richmond County in the south, to Rabun and Towns counties in the north, and includes a number of middle Georgia counties.

Mrs. Schaefer was the second announced Republican candidate to qualify for the seat, with State Rep. Barry Fleming announcing first. Only one Democratic challenger had qualified when Mrs. Schaefer entered the race: Iraq war veteran Bobby Saxon of Jackson, Ga.

Dr. Broun has held the seat since a closely won special election vacated upon the death of Congressman Charlie Norwood.

Mrs. Schaefer said Friday that she will serve the remainder of her term in Georgia’s 50th District, until the end of 2008. Mrs. Schaefer did not say whether she would endorse a candidate.

Filing officially openings for the position on April 28 and ends on May 2.