WASHINGTON (AP) — Former Representative Doug Ose plans to announce his candidacy Friday to replace Congressman John Doolittle in California's conservative 4th Congressional District.
Ose will face fierce competition in the Republican primary from former state Senator Rico Oller, who's already in the race.
Doolittle, a Republican who's under investigation in the Jack Abramoff lobbying scandal, announced this month that he will retire at the end of the year rather than seek a 10th term in the House.
Ose had been widely expected to enter the race and will make it official with a campaign event on Friday, according to a Republican official who spoke on condition of anonymity because the announcement was not yet public.
Also in the GOP contest is political newcomer Eric Egland.