Andy Barr (R), a one-time deputy general counsel to former Gov. Ernie Fletcher (R), is set to turn his exploratory effort into a full-time campaign to unseat Rep. Ben Chandler (D) in the Lexington and Frankfort-based 6th district.

Barr, who is an attorney with the Lexington-based law firm Kinkead & Stilz, will make his campaign official today. “Over the past six weeks, I have had the opportunity to travel around the 6th Congressional district and listen to the people of central Kentucky,— Barr said Monday. “Their message is clear: We need a new way forward in Washington.— Barr was a Congressional staffer for then-Rep. Jim Talent (R-Mo.), and he raised $186,000 for his exploratory effort during the third quarter.

After winning a special election in 2004, Chandler, a member of the Blue Dog Coalition, has had little trouble getting re-elected though he hails from a conservative district that Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) carried by 12 points last year. Chandler reported more than $1.4 million in cash on hand as of Sept. 30.