Raleigh, NC -- U.S. Representative Brad Miller has announced that he will not seek another term in Congress.

The announcement comes as the fight continues over a Republican lead redistricting plan that would move Miller into the same district with current Representative David Price.

Miller has represented the 13th Congressional District which stretches across the northern counties from the Triangle to the Triad since 2002.  The district includes all of Caswell and parts of Guilford and Rockingham Counties.

Miller released a statement to his supporters early Thursday morning giving reasons for his decision.

"I knew Republicans in the legislature would dismantle the district that I have represented for the last decade, and they did. The thirteenth district was split six ways. I also knew that they would create one packed Democratic district in the Triangle, so that all the surrounding districts would be Republican, and they did. I knew that both David Price and I would both reside in that district, and we do. And I knew that the district would include the neighborhoods that we have each looked to for our support, and it does," said Miller.

Miller said that David Price has made it clear that he would run again.  

"I have spoken to many friends who have supported both David and me in the past," said Miller. "Some would support me and some would support David. But none wanted to see a primary between us."

Miller said he would be the underdog in a primary due to having not served the areas that his new district now encompasses.  

Miller also said there is no truth to the rumors he is stepping aside now until David Price retires in two years.

"The reality is that if I sat out a term and returned to Congress, I would be starting over for most purposes."

The Republican led legislature voted the new district maps into law in July 2011.  View the new map 

A lawsuit filed last year, in which the plaintiffs include current and former state lawmakers, argues the plans violate the state and federal constitutions through illegally packing black voters in certain districts.