Topeka ? State Sen. Steve Abrams, R-Arkansas City, has announced that he will run for Senate President.

In his announcement, Abrams noted that the outcome of the Republican Party primary in August put Senate leadership in the hands of conservatives.

“In times like these, there are often calls for political retribution and score settling, but if my colleagues choose to elect me as President, I will insist on civility,” Abrams said.

But, he added, ” … it would be a serious mistake to confuse my cordial attitude for a lack of commitment to a genuinely conservative and businesslike direction for the Senate.”

Abrams said he is dedicated to making state government more efficient and accountable, and looked forward to working with Gov. Sam Brownback and the House in providing a “pro-growth economic environment for the future.”

Abrams will face state Sen. Susan Wagle, R-Wichita, who announced her bid to lead the Senate at a fund-raiser last week that was attended by Brownback and U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran, R-Kan.

At that event, Wagle announced that she was cancer-free after spending much of the summer undergoing chemotherapy treatment for non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. It’s the second time Wagle has been treated for cancer.

Current Senate President Steve Morris, R-Hugoton, was one of eight moderate Republicans defeated by conservative candidates backed by Brownback, the Kansas Chamber of Commerce and groups funded by the Koch brothers, who lead Wichita-based Koch Industries.