State Rep. Kevin Yoder, R-Overland Park, on Tuesday officially put his name in the 3rd District U.S. House race.

Yoder, chairman of the Kansas House appropriations committee, had been exploring a bid since U.S. Dennis Moore, D-Lenexa, announced in November he would not seek a seventh term.

In a news release, Yoder, a Kansas University graduate and partner in an Olathe law firm, said his campaign would focus on fiscal issues and economic development.

“We deserve an experienced leader who will stand up to Congress on job-killing policies such as ‘cap-and-trade,’ ‘card check’ and the government takeover of health care,” Yoder said.

The GOP field is already crowded. Former state Sen. Nick Jordan, of Shawnee, former state Rep. Patricia Lightner, of Olathe, and candidates Daniel Gilyeat, John Rysavy and Tom Scherer are in the race. State Rep. Pat Colloton, Leawood, is also exploring a bid.

Among Democrats, Kansas City, Kan., Mayor Joe Reardon is considering a bid, and Carol Marinovich, a former Kansas City, Kan., mayor, has been mentioned as a possible candidate. Jasmin Talbert, of Overland Park, is running a campaign for the Libertarian Party.