One of a handful of Republicans interested in running for the 29th Congressional District seat that Democrat Eric Massa walked away from said Monroe County Executive Maggie Brooks is close to making a decision about her future.

Brooks said she is certainly interested in running for Congress, however she has not yet made up her mind.

Brooks was at the Greater Rochester International Airport Monday morning. She is attending a reception in Washington, D.C. with President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama to honor National Woman’s History Month.

The Republican Brooks said she was asked to run. It is something that has been an ambition of hers, but she is not yet ready to commit just yet.

“It's an opportunity, obviously the fact that it is an open seat is a game changer in terms of a decision point, so I've committed to the people who are asking me and I've gotten a lot of calls from people not only within Monroe County, but throughout the district to take a look at it. So I’m seriously looking at it,” said Brooks.

Several Republican leaders in the district have already thrown their support behind Corning Mayor Tom Reed. Brooks said she is not concerned about that. If she does decide to run, that battle will be something she says she will look forward to.

Brooks said she will talk to staff, party leaders and her family before making a decision.

There is also a question about residency requirements. Brooks does not live in the 29th Congressional District. Under law, she does not need to live in the district; however, Brooks said that she believes the person who is elected in that district should represent it and she would move if she were that person.

Brooks said she will make her decision on whether to run "sooner, rather than later."

Monroe County