TOPEKA ? Shawnee County District Attorney Chad Taylor says he’ll conduct a series of listening tours across the state before formally deciding whether he’ll run for the U.S. Senate as a Democrat.

Taylor formed an exploratory committee Monday, his 40th birthday. If he ran, he’d be seeking the seat held by veteran Republican Pat Roberts.

Taylor said he’s been urged by people across the state to run because many voters are frustrated with gridlock in Washington. He said the recent partial government shutdown is a symptom of major problems.

But Roberts executive campaign manager Leroy Towns said Taylor needs to conduct statewide listening tours because he’s unknown outside Shawnee County.

Roberts also faces a challenge from his right in the GOP primary from Leawood radiologist Milton Wolf.