State Sen. Jim Barnett is joining a crowded field of candidates to replace Rep. Jerry Moran in Kansas’ 1st Congressional District.

The Republican lawmaker says he’ll begin a four-day tour of the sprawling district with an announcement this morning in his hometown of Emporia.

Barnett is a physician serving his third term in the state Senate. He was the GOP nominee for governor in 2006, losing to Democratic incumbent Kathleen Sebelius.

He’ll be the sixth Republican running in the 1st Congressional District, which covers 69 of the state’s 105 counties. The group includes state Sen. Tim Huelskamp of Fowler.

Moran is leaving the House to run for the U.S. Senate seat being vacated by Sam Brownback, who plans to run for governor next year.