Montana Lt. Gov. John Walsh will run for Senate, providing Democrats with a key recruit for an open-seat race in a highly competitive state.

“Too many lawmakers back in Washington put their own agendas ahead of their responsibility to their constituents and to all Americans,” Walsh said in an advance statement obtained by the Associated Press.

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“They put their political party, and their personal careers ahead of the people they are supposed to be representing. They’ve forgotten their obligations and responsibilities.”

Several high-profile Democrats, including former Gov. Brian Schweitzer, passed on the opportunity to run for the seat. Republicans await Rep. Steve Daines’ decision on whether he will run.

This is a race to replace retiring Democratic Sen. Max Baucus.