Former state Sen. Robert Pittenger (R) is set to announce his candidacy today for North Carolina’s open 9th district, currently represented by retiring Rep. Sue Myrick (R).

He is one of 13 candidates (one Democrat, one Libertarian and 11 Republicans) who filed to run last month with the state board of elections. He is considered a serious contender for the safe Republican seat, along with local county commissioner Jim Pendergraph (R), state Rep. Rick Killian (R) and insurance executive Dan Barry (R).

With so many people in the race, the campaign is likely to be raucous and end in a runoff. The primary is May 8. A runoff would take place on July 17.