State Assemblyman Greg Ball (R) has confirmed that he will announce the formation of an exploratory committee tonight for a possible run against Rep. John Hall (D).

Ball has a fundraiser scheduled with a national security theme, sparking speculation for the past few weeks that he would declare his interest in a Congressional bid there. Ball’s aides said that he will be announcing the creation of the campaign committee at the event and, as if to highlight the idea that he is the preferred candidate of Republican leaders, that the GOP chairmen from all five counties in the district would be in attendance.

Ball, 31, is a conservative military veteran who has made government reform a hallmark of his brief tenure in Albany.

Hall, a second-term Member, won a tough race against then-Rep. Sue Kelly (R) in 2006, then cruised to re-election last year. His Hudson Valley district is trending Democratic but could be competitive depending on state and national political atmospherics.

Hall was planning to hold a districtwide virtual town hall meeting on the economy Wednesday night. Constituents were able to listen in and participate by telephone.