Signature-gathering for the March primary is allowed to start this month.
The Bush camp still believes its candidate will win the nomination, but he may well emerge from the March primaries battered and near broke.
The campaign could then continue into the March 14 primaries in Florida, Texas and four other Southern states.
The March primary made the cycle for raising money very short.
He is focusing his campaign on the March 8 primaries and caucuses.
Another possible candidate is Tom Campbell, a lawyer who came in second in the March primary.
Steve Forbes will press on with his Republican presidential campaign at least until the March 7 primaries, despite pressure to quit.
A total of 265 delegates were pledged by the results of the March 4th primaries.
In previous cycles the candidates were effectively chosen by the end of the March primaries.
Atkins was reelected with a majority of the vote in the March primary.