Woodlands businessman and pastor Mark Keough has announced his candidacy for Texas House District 15.

Keough joins Woodlands Township Chairman Bruce Tough in the race for the District 15 House seat, currently held by Rep. Steve Toth, R-The Woodlands. Toth opted not to run for re-election after announcing his intentions to run for the vacant District 4 Senate seat left by Tommy Williams.

The primary for the House race will be in March 2014, and the general election will be in November 2014.

The founder of Mark Keough Ministries, which includes Pathfinders Fellowship in The Woodlands, Keough holds masters degrees from Dallas and Grace Theological Seminaries, according to a press release. He has 26 years of experience working in the automotive industry, serving most recently as the general sales manager of Northside Lexus for almost 14 years.

Keough has been a member of the NRA for more than 20 years and said he strongly supports the second amendment. He said he hopes to bring his business experience and conservatism to the position.

"There's a real need for Legislators in Austin who are there to serve the people, and not themselves," he said. "Too often, we fall into the habit of spending money like Washington, threatening the prosperity we have in Texas. This campaign will focus on the fiscally conservative, pro-life, low-tax policies that have made Texas a great place to live."

For more information on Keough, go to his website at www.markkeough.org.