Louisiana state Rep. Nickie Monica (R) has filed paperwork to organize a 2010 campaign in the open 3rd district.

Monica, who was elected to the state legislature in 2007, filed a statement of candidacy and statement of organization with the Federal Election Commission, which processed his paperwork on Christmas Eve.

That Monica is running for the Louisiana 3 seat is not surprising. He expressed interest in running for Congress even before Rep. Charlie Melancon (D) announced in August that he would challenge Sen. David Vitter (R).