Weeks after State Sen. Tommy Williams, R-The Woodlands, announced he will not be returning for the 2015 Legislative Session, several candidates have already announced their intentions to run for the position, while other candidate announcements could be on the horizon.

Rep. Steve Toth, R-The Woodlands, Rep. Brandon Creighton, R-Conroe, and Woodlands Township Director Gordy Bunch have all confirmed their intentions to the run for the position once Williams makes his resignation final. Bunch said Gov. Rick Perry will have 20 days from the announcement to decide whether to hold a special election or wait until the next uniform election date, which would be in May 2014.

Toth and Creighton both said their terms for their positions on House Districts 15 and 16, respectively, are up for election next year with the Republican Primary scheduled for March and the end of their terms being January 2015. However, both representatives said they are firm in their decisions to run for the open senate seat.

"I've made it abundantly clear that I'm in this thing, and if I have to choose between the House and the Senate, I'm running for the Senate," Toth said. "I think it's where I can have the greatest impact for Texas. This is where I can have the greatest impact for my children and their generation. You're one of 31 in the Senate instead of 150 in the House."

Creighton had initially considered candidacy for Texas Agriculture Commissioner, but dropped out of the race once Williams made his surprise announcement.

"For the first few weeks of our look at a statewide race, you're covering a lot of ground and working all over the state and managing things at home," Creighton said. "Everyone was shocked and surprised that Senator Williams would decide to drop out early. My wife and I talked about it and prayed about it and decided serving the Senate District 4 at home was the best [decision]."

Bunch said he was already considering whether to run for the Senate seat when the position came up again for election in two and a half years. He said Williams' announcement came the week he started studying the district to develop a strategy.

"I had already begun the process, of 'Okay, what can I do after I accomplish everything I can accomplish with the township?'" Bunch said. "And the next logical step would be to run for the State Senate."

However, Bunch may not be the only township director running for the vacant senate seat. Chairman Bruce Tough and Director Nelda Blair would neither confirm, nor deny their intentions to run for the position following Williams' expected formal resignation.

"I wouldn't say no yet," Blair said.

She will not be returning to her position on The Woodlands Township Board of Directors. The township election will be held Nov. 5 and her two-year team ends in 2014. Tough is running unopposed for his position on the township board and said he hopes to continue serving as chairman. However, he did not rule out the possibility that he may run for Williams' Senate seat.

"Senator Williams hasn't announced his resignation yet, and I'm just honoring his service," Tough said. "After his resignation, I would give that serious consideration."

Williams has served as the Senator for District 4 since 2003. The district includes portions of Montgomery, Harris, Jefferson, Chambers and Galveston counties. Creighton said the election to replace Williams would not have a primary, but rather would include candidates from all political parties who wish to run. He said the winning candidate must receive 50 percent of the vote, or there will be a runoff election to determine the winner.