A final decision is still more than two weeks away but U.S. Rep. Mo Brooks may well run for the Senate later this year.

The Republican Brooks, in his fourth term in the House of Representatives, told AL.com on Monday that he is "seriously considering the race."

It's the first public comments from Brooks on the Senate race that has now jumped to the forefront of Alabama politics after Gov. Kay Ivey moved up the special election by almost a year to fill the seat held by Jeff Sessions, who resigned in February to become U.S. attorney general.

Candidates have until May 17 to qualify for the Aug. 15 party primaries. Brooks, a native of Huntsville, said he probably won't announce his decision until just before the deadline.

Brooks is the only member of Alabama's congressional delegation considering a Senate campaign. Reps. Robert Aderholt, Bradley Byrne, Gary Palmer, Martha Roby, Mike Rogers and Terri Sewell have said they will not run.

"I have polling data, I have talked with various individuals to discuss how much money would be required to be competitive and whether there are available sources of money to be competitive," Brooks said.

Brooks' campaign war chest alone would appear to make him a strong candidate the instant he announces he's in the race. According to his most recent campaign finance disclosure filed on March 31, Brooks has $1.2 million in available cash.

That's more than any other Alabama House member as well as Sen. Luther Strange, who was appointed to the position by former Gov. Robert Bentley for which the special election has been called. Strange has said he has raised than $763,000 so far.

"That's one of the strong points," Brooks said of his would-be candidacy. "I have almost half-a-million dollars cash on hand more so than the second place person and more than $1 million cash-on-hand more than every other candidate - rumored or announced."

That could change if Del Marsh, president of the Alabama Senate, declares his candidacy. Marsh, R-Anniston, has said he is considering a run and his personal wealth would be a factor, Brooks said.

"It appears Del Marsh may put in large sums of his own money so that would diminish the firepower advantage I appear to have," Brooks said.

Brooks also sounded off on a Politico story last week, which reported that the National Republican Senatorial Committee is warning political operatives not to work against Strange. For vendors who backed candidates opposing Strange, the NRSC said it would withhold future business.

"I have a number of different reactions," Brooks said. "First, I'm disappointed that the special interest groups in Washington would combine to try to suppress Alabama's senatorial choices by engaging in intimidation and strong-arm tactics. Second, I've been here for a while and I'm used to seeing how the powers that be act so this strong-arm tactic is not surprising.

"Third, it doesn't affect my decision one iota because I never use those guys anyway. I much prefer the intellect and understanding of Alabama people in my campaign staff."

Given that backdrop, however, Brooks said he is anticipating a negative campaign for the Republican nomination. Along with Strange, state Rep. Ed Henry, former Alabama Chief Justice Roy Moore and Christian Coalition of Alabama President Randy Brinson have announced their intentions to run for the GOP nomination.

"I am seriously considering the race," Brooks said. "That's a fair description. But I'm also very undecided. I have to be convinced I will have sufficient funds to defend against the personal attacks that would undoubtedly be launched by opposing campaigns in a race of this magnitude. And if I don't have a comfort zone that I will have seven figures to defend myself with, I won't run.

"And that starts with the NRSC but it's also everybody else. The NRSC plays for keeps and the decorum and honor are not as important as wins in their scorebook."