State Sen. John Pederson, a Republican from St. Cloud, has filed a statement of candidacy with the Federal Election Commission, the first step in entering the 6th Congressional District race.
The St. Cloud Times says Pederson will file more papers with the FEC later this week.
If he continues the process, the second-term state senator and former St. Cloud City Council member would become the third Republican trying to succeed Congresswoman Michele Bachmann, who says she won't seek re-election.
Tom Emmer, who ran for governor in 2010, and Anoka County Board Chair Rhonda Sivarajah already have formally announced their candidacies.
So far on the DFL side, only Judy Adams, an environmental activist from Circle Pines has announced her campaign.