On Aug. 23, State Sen. Van Taylor, R-Plano, announced his bid for Texas’s 3rd congressional district—a seat left vacant after U.S. Rep. Sam Johnson announced his retirement by the end of this year's Congress.

The 3rd congressional district covers most of Collin County, including the cities of McKinney, Frisco and Plano.

Taylor is currently serving as state senator for District 8, which comprises much of the same area as the 3rd congressional district.

“I am determined now more than ever to fight for the future of our country and to make our nation stronger by taking the conservative solutions that we pioneered right here in Texas to Washington D.C.,” Taylor said in a statement. “That is why I am announcing my candidacy to serve in the United States Congress.”