North Carolina insurance executive Daniel Barry, who entered the GOP primary to take on Rep. Larry Kissell (D-N.C.) in August, today announced he is now running in the open 9th district, currently represented by

, today announced he is now running in the open 9th district, currently represented by retiring Rep. Sue Myrick (R).

Barry, who lives in the 9th, had trouble gaining traction in the crowded Republican field looking to take on the deeply vulnerable Kissell and will probably have a better shot of winning in the 9th district.

“It is up to us here in the 9th District to reverse the radical job-killing policies of the Obama administration so that we can fuel the engine of economic growth and return North Carolina businesses to a position where they are profitable and prosperous,” Barry said.

Myrick’s surprise announcement last week that this term would be her last caused many ambitious politicos to eye the seat. Currently in the primary with Barry are Mecklenburg County Commissioner Jim Pendergraph and real estate broker Michael Shaffer, among others.

Roll Call rates the 9th as Safe Republican. The primary is May 8.