Longtime Republican Party leader Delbert C. Hosemann Jr. filed with the GOP on Monday to run for secretary of state, according to http://www.clarionledger.com.

 

Hosemann, a Jackson lawyer, ran unsuccessfully for Congress in 1998 against Democrat Ronnie Shows.

 

He will face former Columbus Mayor Jeffery Rupp in the Republican Primary. Shawn O'Hara of Hattiesburg and Hinds County's Jabari Toins are in the race to replace outgoing Secretary of State Eric Clark as Democrats.

 

Clark, a 56-year-old Democrat, recently announced he would not seek re-election.

Candidates have until Thursday to qualify. The primaries are Aug. 7 and the election is Nov. 6.