State Rep. Mike Murphy announced he has formed an exploratory committee to challenge Rep. Dan Burton in the 2010 Republican primary. Murphy is one of several top-tier GOP candidates expected to challenge Burton this cycle.

“I want my two sons, Brendan and Kevin, to live in a prosperous America that holds out the American Dream to everyone who is willing to work to succeed,” Murphy said in a statement. “And I want my fellow Hoosiers to know that they will have a Representative in Washington who puts their interests first every single day.”

Burton defeated former Marion County Coroner John McGoff, 52 percent to 45 percent, in 2008 — the closest contest of his 14-term career in Congress. McGoff is also considering challenging Burton again, along with handful of other Republicans including Marion County Prosecutor Carl Brizzi, former Indiana Republican Party Executive Director Luke Messer and former 7th district GOP nominee Brose McVey.