Rep. Mike McIntyre (D-N.C.), who had flirted with a gubernatorial run earlier this year and who was drawn into Democratic Rep. Larry Kissell’s district by the GOP-controlled Legislature, filed to run in the 7th district Monday.

“My focus has been and always will be on what is best for the citizens and communities of Eastern North Carolina.  That means working for and supporting policies and ideas that make a positive difference in people’s lives, and that’s the kind of representation that I want to continue to give,” he said in a statement. “Working together, we can achieve great things!”

McIntyre will face the winner of the GOP primary between state Sen. David Rouzer and 2010 GOP nominee Ilario Pantano. McIntyre currently represents a large portion of the redrawn district, which would have voted 58 percent for Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) in 2008.

Roll Call rates the race as Leans Republican.