New Jersey state Sen. Donald Norcross (D) is wasting no time launching his campaign for Congress.

Norcross announced Tuesday afternoon that he will run for the seat of retiring Rep. Robert Andrews (D-N.J.), just hours after Andrews said he will resign from Congress.

"I am running for Congress because South Jersey needs someone who is going to stand up for us in Washington, D.C., as Rob Andrews has done for more than two decades," Norcross said in a statement. "I have spent my career fighting for middle-class families, senior citizens and workers."

Norcross, brother of longtime South Jersey power-broker George Norcross, is a heavy favorite to succeed Andrews. He also got the early backing Tuesday of state Senate President Stephen Sweeney, Camden Mayor Dana Redd and — apparently — of Andrews himself.

Andrews said at his retirement news conference that he hoped Norcross would run — another clear signal that the New Jersey Democratic establishment is lining up behind Norcross.

The seat leans Democratic, meaning the Democratic primary should determine the winner.