Image by Henry Brown

Update:

Brown's office has sent out a release that confirms he won't run for re-election.

First reporting:

We'll have to see how this pans out, but political blog The Palmetto Scoop is saying that Henry Brown is planning a press conference for today to announce that he won't run for re-election; get the details at the Scoop. Also, Politico seems to be confirming.

Why would a GOPer possibly let go of his seat? 

Brown is 74 and barely edged out his Democratic challenger Linda Ketner in 2008 and he was/is expected to face a tough election bid this time around.

And while the seat could flip, I doubt many have a real expectation that Brown would do a better job of holding it than any of his GOP challengers.

Brown has served five two-year terms representing South Carolina's 1st Congressional District in the U.S. House (that's for much of Mount Pleasant and Myrtle Beach; map.)