Connecticut Republican Rob Simmons, a former three-term House member who was narrowly unseated in 2006, will challenge five-term Democratic Sen. Christopher J. Dodd in 2010.

Simmons, who was widely expected to join the Senate race, confirmed his candidacy in an e-mail to the Associated Press (AP) on Sunday.

According to the Hartford Courant, Simmons made the decision following a discussion “with his family, close friends and minister after attending church.”

“The family had a long meeting today and was unanimous that I run. So, I’m running,” Simmons wrote in his e-mail to AP.