Tony Brown plans to take his political career to a bigger playing field.

Brown, a longtime Baker University professor and Baldwin City Council member, filed Tuesday for the 10th District State Representative seat now held by Tom Holland. The election is Nov. 4.

“I have a strong belief that government can still improve people’s lives,” said Brown, a Democrat. “There is a lot of cynicism about government now, and rightfully so. Nothing is getting done.

“I would like to be a person who strikes some compromise and gets things done to improve the quality of life for Kansans.”

Brown, who moved to Baldwin City in 1990 to teach psychology at Baker, has been a city councilman for four years.

Brown also served as Holland’s campaign manager since he first ran in 2002. Holland, also a Democrat, said he would make an announcement later in the legislative session. He declined to address rumors that he will be seeking Republican Roger Pine’s Senate seat.

Brown said if elected, he would center on three issues: education, the environment and health care.

“Those are going to be the pillars of my campaign,” he said.

Regardless of the outcome of the race, Brown, 46, is scaling back his teaching career.

“I’ve already made plans to go into semi-retirement with Baker,” he said. “The agreement now is to teach one class in the fall. If I’m lucky enough to get elected, I, of course, wouldn’t be available in the spring. That’s the plan. We’ll see if it works.”

Brown’s campaign manager is Ryan Young, a Baker graduate who has been involved with state politics, including working for Holland.