Topeka ? Senator Sam Brownback today filed paperwork with the Federal Elections Commission establishing a presidential exploratory committee. Forming an exploratory committee is the first formal step to run for president of the United States.

“I have decided, after much prayerful consideration, to consider a bid for the Republican nomination for the presidency,” said Brownback. “There is a real need in our country to rebuild the family and renew our culture and there is a need for genuine conservatism and real compassion in the national discussion. I look forward to traveling the country to listen to Americans about the ideas and issues facing this great nation. I hope to raise the level of discussion about issues of life at home and abroad; renewed fiscal restraint, tax reform, and economic growth; and a vigorous yet compassionate and consistent foreign policy.”

Sam Brownback is the senior senator from Kansas, having succeeded Bob Dole in 1996 after serving in the House of Representatives. He was previously the youngest Kansas Secretary of Agriculture in Kansas, a White House Fellow, a broadcaster, a teacher, an attorney, and an author. Brownback was born and raised in Parker, Kansas, where his father and brother still farm and lives in Topeka, Kansas, with his wife Mary and their five children.

Brownback continued, “Ours is an exceptional nation united by our ideals. But we are a great nation because of our goodness. If we ever lose our goodness, we will surely lose our greatness. We have been given so much and should be hopeful for our future and thankful for the many blessings. But so much is required; we need a culture that encourages what is right and discourages what is wrong-and has the wisdom to understand the difference. But we can achieve much if we pick up the torch with courage, generosity, and realism. We must meet and fulfill the job we are called to accomplish and the time to act to insure our future as a nation is now.”

Brownback also announced select members of his exploratory advisory committee:

(Organizations are listed for identification purposes only and do not infer organizational endorsement)

General Charles Krulak, former Commandant of the United States Marine Corps
Chuck Hurley, former Iowa legislator and pro-life leader
Dr. Alveda King, minister and civil rights activist
Tom Monaghan, Chancellor of Ave Maria University
Dave Barron, President, International Conservation Caucus Foundation
Cici Rojas, Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Executive, Texas
Jeff Ballabon, President, Ballabon Group, LLC
Steve McEveety, mPower Films Worldwide
Cheryl Brown Henderson, President, Brown Foundation for Educational Equity and Excellence
Fr. Frank Pavone, National Director, Priests For Life
Ari Storch, Co-Chairman, Artemis Strategies
Deborah Fikes, Advisor, Human Rights Advocacy to the Ministerial Alliance of Midland, TX
Mark Heitz, President & CEO, AmerUs Annuity Group
Dr. Jack Willke, President, Life Issues Institute
Sam Kim, General Counsel, Jericho Institute
Bowie Kuhn, former Major League Baseball commissioner
Dan Foley, Vice President-Human Resources, Masco Corporation
Sean Wolfington, Chairman & CEO, The Wolfington Companies
David Kim, CEO, Sweet Factory
James Turner, President, Heartland Community Bankers Association

Brownback will travel to ten states over the next month to meet with state and local leaders, visit with voters and share his ideas for the future and build his exploratory team. He will be in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, tomorrow.