Former Arkansas state Sen. Jim Holt (R), who plans to kick off his Senate bid with a series of events around the state on Jan. 14, has already made it official with the Federal Election Commission.

Holt filed his statement of candidacy on Dec. 28 and it was received by the FEC on Tuesday.

Holt faced Sen. Blanche Lincoln (D) as the GOP nominee six years ago and took 44 percent despite being outspent nearly 40 to 1 in that contest.