North Bay political activist Norman Solomon announced Wednesday that he filed candidacy papers with the Federal Election Commission to run for the 6th district in the event that Democratic Rep. Lynn Woolsey retires.

Woolsey, a former leader of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, has said she is considering retirement at the end of this term and is expected to make a decision in the next few months. Assemblyman Jared Huffman (D) is also looking at the race and announced earlier this month that he raised $120,000 in the first quarter in preparation for a Congressional bid. He too is waiting to see what Woolsey will do.

“After so many years of progressive leadership from Lynn Woolsey, her successor in the House should have a proven commitment to a wide range of progressive values,” Solomon said in a statement. “I see Congress as a place where strong progressive voices must be heard and basic changes must be fought for.”

The district is solidly Democratic but will be redrawn during redistricting this cycle.