South Dakota State Rep. Blake Curd is running for the state’s At-Large House seat, giving the GOP a credible candidate against three-term Democratic Rep. Stephanie Herseth Sandlin.

Curd does not, however, have the statewide name recognition and popular appeal of South Dakota Secretary of State Chris Nelson, another Republican who has been exploring the race but has been quiet about his intentions. State Rep. Shantel Krebs is also exploring a campaign.

Curd, a practicing surgeon from Sioux Falls, S.D., filed a statement of candidacy with the Federal Election Commission on Thursday, promising to “work to heal a very sick and injured federal government.” Curd is currently serving his first term in the state House; he also served more than a decade in the United States Air Force Reserve.