In the wake of Rep. Bart Gordon‘s (D-Tenn.) surprise retirement announcement, state Sen. Jim Tracy (R) said that he will file his paperwork on Monday to run in Tennessee’s 6th district.

Tracy was on Capitol Hill earlier this month meeting with National Republican Congressional Committee officials about a potential bid in the 6th district.

“I’m definitely running we’re filing our papers today,” said Tracy. “We were going to run anyway … [Gordon’s retirement announcement] just speeds it up a little bit.”

Tracy said he plans to bring aboard Nashville area political strategist Mike McCrady to serve as his campaign manager. McCrady has worked on Tennessee state legislative races and for Florida 22nd district GOP nominee Allen West during the 2008 cycle.