BOISE, Idaho (AP) -- Lt. Gov. Brad Little says he is planning on running for governor.
Little tells the Idaho Statesman that he will file paperwork creating his gubernatorial campaign on Wednesday.
The Republican rancher -- who has served as Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter's lieutenant since 2009 -- is the first official candidate in the 2018 gubernatorial race. Otter has previously stated that he has no plans to run for re-election.
Little was first appointed to the Idaho Senate in 2001. Little served there until Otter asked him in 2009 to fill the empty lieutenant seat because Jim Risch had vacated the spot after winning a U.S. Senate seat.
Little says he's launching his bid early because he expects to be the underdog in what is expected to be a crowded and competitive race for Idaho's top elected seat.
