LAS VEGAS (AP) — Former Nevada Assembly Speaker John Oceguera has announced a bid for the state's 4th Congressional District seat.

The Democrat posted on his website that he'll seek the post now held by Republican Cresent Hardy.

In the state legislature, Oceguera served for 12 years and held the speaker post in 2011. He is also a former firefighter with the North Las Vegas fire department.

Oceguera lost a congressional bid in 2012 to Rep. Joe Heck. Heck announced this week he is running for the U.S. Senate.

This marks the fourth Democrat to enter the 4th Congressional District race, following State Sen. Ruben Kihuen, former Assemblywoman Lucy Flores and Las Vegas philanthropist Susie Lee.

The district includes urban North Las Vegas and a large swath of rural central Nevada.