Wichita ? A Kansas oilman is the latest candidate to join the throng vying for the U.S. House seat from south-central Kansas being vacated by Republican Todd Tiahrt.

Willis “Wink” Hartman Sr. officially announced on Wednesday his candidacy for next year’s GOP primary. He says Washington needs to get off the backs of businesses with less taxation, less regulation and less litigation.

“We need to do all in our power to promote strong conservative ideas, the same conservative ideas that built our country into the greatest nation of our time,” he said. The 4th Congressional District is heavily Republican.

At least four other Republicans may vie for the seat, including state Sen. Dick Kelsey, of Goddard; Wichita businessman Mike Pompeo; state Sen. Jean Schodorf and retired pilot Jim Anderson. Also considering are Democrats state Rep. Raj Goyle, of Wichita, and retired court services officer Robert Tillman.

Hartman told supporters he supported protecting human life from conception to death and supported gun rights. He criticized the current health care reform plan and called the proposed energy bill “truly reprehensible.”

The country needs to wean itself from foreign oil and invest in wind power, renewable fuels, coal, nuclear energy and domestic exploration of oil, he said. He also said that instead of taxing energy, the country needs to increase the amount of American energy.

Hartman said everyone should be able to afford health care regardless of pre-existing conditions. He also wants portability of insurance so that people own their own health insurance instead of depending on employers.