NORTH ATTLEBORO - State Rep. Betty Poirier said Wednesday she was flattered that so many people wanted her to run for state Senate, but she prefers staying right where she is now.

Poirier, R-North Attleboro, told a packed community meeting room at the North Attleboro Police Station that she intends to run for re-election in the fall.

She said she likes being a "hands on" representative who attends all community events.

Representing a large Senate district would stretch her too thin and prevent her from giving constituents the personalized service they expect from her, she said.

Poirier's announcement was immediately followed by one from Rep. Richard Ross, R-Wrentham, who said he would run for the state Senate seat being vacated by Scott Brown, who is becoming a U.S. senator. Poirier said both she and Ross wrestled with their decisions.

One consideration, Poirier said, is that she and other Republicans had to figure out how the party could best work to keep the seats held by her, Ross and Brown in Republican possession.

"It is very important to me to protect our seats," she said after the announcement.

She said there is so much of an imbalance between Democrats and Republicans in the Legislature that it has lead to abuses of power and corruption.