Topeka ? Rep. Jerry Moran has made his candidacy for the U.S. Senate official.

Moran, who represents Kansas’ 1st District in Congress, filed the paperwork Thursday to run for the Senate seat that is being vacated by Republican Sam Brownback.

Brownback is retiring in 2010 and is expected to seek the GOP nomination for governor.

Moran said he was committed to the race and continuing his service to Kansas. He was elected to Congress in 1996 after serving in the Kansas Legislature.

He said that if he wins the primary, he expects to face Gov. Kathleen Sebelius, a Democrat whose second term ends in 2010.

Rep. Todd Tiahrt, a Goddard Republican who represents Kansas’ 4th District in Congress, also is considering a Senate run.