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.

The news that Monica is running for the Louisiana 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).

Republicans Kristian Magar, a businessman, and Jeff Landry, a lawyer who narrowly lost a state Senate race in 2007, have also filed paperwork with the FEC.

Other Republicans are expected to run in a district that takes in conservative-leaning areas of south-central Louisiana, including New Iberia and Houma. The race has been slow to form in part because there is plenty of time to prepare for Louisiana’s first-round primary election on Aug. 28.

Lawyer Ravi Sangisetty (D) is seeking the seat.