ATLANTA -- Sen. Saxby Chambliss said now that Democrats have selected his opponent in the U.S. Senate race, he fully expects the party to come after him with guns blazing.

Chambliss said at a news conference that he's ready for the "onslaught."

Chambliss met with reporters Wednesday, the morning after former state lawmaker Jim Martin claimed the Democratic nomination to run against Chambliss in November. Chambliss said Martin's liberal voting record was out of step with mainstream Georgians.

Chambliss repeatedly linked Martin to New York Sen. Charles Schumer, D-N.Y., who recruited the Georgia politician to run for the seat.

Martin won about 60 percent of the vote in a runoff Tuesday night against DeKalb County CEO Vernon Jones.

Chambliss was elected in 2002 and is making his first bid for re-election.