A former Congressional candidate has entered the race for a state Senate seat representing part of South Georgia.

Mike Keown, a Republican, said in a statement that he will run for the seat vacated last week by former Republican Sen. John Bulloch.

A special election has been set for Jan. 8.

Keown previously served in the state House of Representatives. He tried to unseat Democratic U.S. Rep. Sanford Bishop in the 2010 election but lost. He plans to qualify for the race Monday at the Statehouse.

Tags: state Senate, Georgia Senate, mike keown, John Bulloch