Topeka ? A second Democrat is officially running for Kansas secretary of state.

State Securities Commissioner Chris Biggs said Monday that he filed the necessary candidacy forms with the state. He joins state Sen. Chris Steineger of Kansas City as the other Democrat in the race.

Three Republicans have filed for the Aug. 3 party primaries.

They are former Kansas GOP chairman Kris Kobach of Piper; Shawnee County Elections Commissioner Elizabeth Ensely; and Salina resident J.R. Claeys, a former CEO of the National Association of Government Contractors.

Biggs’ announcement came on the same day that Secretary of State Ron Thornburgh left office to take a job in the private sector. Gov. Mark Parkinson will name a replacement to serve the remaining 11 months of Thornburgh’s term.