Topeka ? Johnson County treasurer Dennis Wilson announced Thursday he will seek the Republican nomination for state treasurer, an office in which he previously held administrative positions.

Wilson, 51, who also served two terms in the House, said at a news conference that voters should elect him to provide continuity in the state treasurer’s office. Incumbent Tim Shallenburger is seeking the GOP nomination for governor.

Two other Republicans state Sen. Lynn Jenkins and Shawnee County treasurer Rita Cline, both of Topeka also plan to run for treasurer in the Aug. 6 primary.

Jenkins is a certified public accountant and has said her professional background makes her the most qualified Republican candidate. Cline has pointed to her 12 years as Shawnee County treasurer.

Both welcomed Wilson to the race. Cline hinted she might not continue her campaign, saying she won’t fully commit to the race until the June 10 filing deadline.

Wilson, Overland Park, worked on Shallenburger’s campaign in 1998 and served as director of administration and unclaimed property in the treasurer’s office from 1999 into 2001. He was elected Johnson County treasurer in November 2000 and, in accordance with state law on succession of county treasurers, took office 11 months later, in October 2001.

He was a businessman when he was elected to the House in 1994, operating a commercial cleaning company and an investments firm. He did not seek re-election in 1998 to start a battery supply company, which he sold two years later to a national wholesaler.

As state treasurer, Wilson said Thursday, he would continue the office’s aggressive efforts to return unclaimed property to Kansans and to market a college savings program. He also promised diligent oversight of state investments.

“I really think there’s very little to fix but there’s a lot to build on,” Wilson said.

No Democrat has announced as a candidate.