ROSEMOUNT, Minn. (AP) — A freshman Republican Minnesota legislator is ready to say whether he will try to trade up to the U.S. Senate.

GOP State Rep. Kurt Bills planned to announce his campaign intentions Thursday in his hometown of Rosemount. He said earlier in the week that he was seriously considering a run. Democratic Sen. Amy Klobuchar is seeking a second term.

Bills has libertarian leanings and was a prominent in-state backer of presidential candidate Ron Paul before the state’s February precinct caucuses. Paul finished second in Minnesota’s straw ballot, revealing a solid base of support Bills would try to harness in a Senate bid.

Others in the race include former state Rep. Dan Severson and war veteran Pete Hegseth, both of whom are vying for the Republican nomination.

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