AUSTIN, Texas — Democratic state Rep. Eddie Rodriguez has previously indicated he’s interested in running for Congress in Texas’ 35^th District, and Federal Election Commission paperwork filed on Thursday made it official.

The longtime state lawmaker and Texas native will face Austin City Council member Greg Casar in a primary. Casar announced his candidacy for the 35^th congressional district Thursday morning. The race could get crowded with other candidates still expected to announce.

That seat is currently occupied by Democratic Rep. Lloyd Doggett. Doggett recently announced he will seek office in the newly drawn 37^th congressional district located in Austin.

Rodriguez was born and raised in the Rio Grande Valley and obtained degrees at the University of Texas at Austin.

First elected to the state legislature in 2002, Rodriguez has focused on affordability, economic development, voting rights, education and access to health care.

In addition, Rodriguez is the co-founder and chair of the Texas House Farm-to-Table Caucus, policy chair of the Mexican American Legislative Caucus, and a member of the House Women’s Caucus, the House Democratic Caucus as well as the Legislative Study Group.