Rep. Ron Paul announced Tuesday in Des Moines, Iowa, that he is forming an exploratory committee for a 2012 presidential bid.

If the Texas Republican eventually decides to mount a campaign, it will mark his third try for the White House. He unsuccessfully ran as a Libertarian candidate in 1998 and for the GOP nomination in 2008. In his most recent attempt, Paul placed fifth in the Iowa caucuses.

Paul also announced three members of his Iowa leadership team, all of whom serve on the Republican State Central Committee.

Dr. Drew Ivers will guide Paul’s efforts in the Hawkeye State as chairman of his Iowa campaign. A five-time delegate to the Republican National Convention, Ivers served as the Iowa chairman for Paul’s 2008 presidential campaign, for Pat Robertson’s 1998 presidential campaign, and for Pat Buchanan’s campaigns in 1996 and 2000.

David Fischer, a longtime Polk County Republican Executive Committee member, will serve as Paul’s vice chairman in the state. A.J. Spiker, a former chairman of the Story County Republican Party, will also serve as vice chairman.

Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) had also considered running for president in 2012 but said he would not compete against his father. Another son, Robert Paul, had openly discussed running for Senate in Texas, but he said last week that he has decided against it.