Republican Bruce Poliquin announced on Monday that he will run for Maine’s 2nd District in a competitive open-seat contest to replace Democratic Rep. Michael H. Michaud.

Michaud recently announced a gubernatorial bid.

Poliquin, a former state treasurer who lost the Republican nomination for Senate in 2012, has long been expected to announce a bid for the seat.

He made his official announcement Monday morning on a local radio show, according to the Bangor Daily News.

Poliquin is now the second Republican to announce a run for the 2nd District. Assistant House Minority Leader Alex Willette announced a bid soon after Michaud announced he was eyeing a gubernatorial run.

Other Republicans still mulling the race include former House Minority Leader Josh Tardy and former state Sen. Kevin Raye, who has twice lost attempts to win Maine’s 2nd District, once in 2002 by 4 points and again in 2012 by 17 points.

On the Democratic side, state Sens. Emily Cain and Troy Jackson are running, as well as Naval officer Alden Smith.

President Barack Obama won the 2nd District by a 9-point margin in 2012.

The 2nd District is rated a Democrat Favored contest by Rothenberg Political Report/Roll Call.