Peter King: ‘I’m running for president’

Rep. Peter King (R-N.Y.) is running for president.

In a radio interview this week, the Republican lawmaker told a New Hampshire station that he was in the state “because right now I’m running for president,” according to The New York Daily News. 

{mosads}The visit was King’s second of four trips to the traditional home of the nation’s first presidential primary. 

The announcement makes King the first Republican to officially declare their intentions to run for president in 2016.

King has previously expressed an interest in running for president, though Democrats including House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi have had their doubts about his seriousness.

King is serving his 11th term in the house. Over the years he has been a vocal member of his party at times, especially on foreign policy issues.

However, he has also sparred with Republican leaders on gun control and emergency aid after Hurricane Sandy.

He is likely to garner less name recognition than more notable possible Republican presidential contenders including New Jersey Governor Chris Christie and Sens. Ted Cruz (Texas), Marco Rubio (Fla.) and Rand Paul (Ky.)