Rigell, the president of Freedom Automotive, said Wednesday that he’s filed the necessary candidate paperwork with the Federal Election Commission (FEC). Rigell said that he will “move quickly to organize a strong grassroots campaign” and will make a formal candidacy announcement in November, after Virginia conducts its election for governor.

According to CQ MoneyLine, Rigell has been a frequent contributor to Republican committees and candidates in Virginia, including Ed Schrock, who represented the 2nd from 2001 through 2004, and Thelma Drake, who held the seat from 2005 through 2008, when she lost to Nye by 5 percentage points. Rigell said that Drake and other GOP officeholders have endorsed his candidacy.