REUTERS/Ivan Sekretarev/Pool

A former U.S. Senate candidate said he now wants to run as a Democrat for the Houston area's redrawn 9th Congressional District . Col. Terry Virts announced his candidacy as he withdrew from the race for the U.S. Senate seat held by Republican John Cornyn .

This past summer, Republicans in the Texas Legislature redrew the 9 th with the aim of ousting incumbent Democratic Congressman Al Green . Green has said he will be on the ballot next year, but that he will not run in the 9 th District.

Texas legislature

Virts enters a field that already includes two Democrats, one independent, and several Republican candidates — including state Rep. Briscoe Cain , whose district overlaps the 9 th , and former unsuccessful Harris County Judge candidate Ale

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