Democrat Michael Evans joins crowd of Republicans running for Congress

Democratic State Rep. Michael T. Evans of Preston has qualified to run for the 3rd District U.S. House seat being vacated by Republican Rep. Gregg Harper.

Evans, a poultry farmer and retired firefighter, has served in the state House since 2012, representing parts of of Kemper, Lauderdale, Neshoba and Winston counties. He is known for fiery, humorous and colloquial floor and stump speeches.

More: Who's running in Mississippi's federal mid-terms?

"I've got 10 minutes I've got to kill up here, and we didn't do 10 minutes worth of work in the Legislature this year worth telling you about," Evans said in a 2016 Neshoba County Fair stump speech that had folks in stitches.

Evans in a statement on Thursday said he "stands with those who value Second Amendment rights and the sanctity of human life." He said if elected, he would make Mississippi's deteriorating roads and other infrastructure a priority in Washington.

“Mississippians deserve a real voice in Congress,” Evans said. “It is time for serious leadership and representation in Washington, D.C. I believe my background as a firefighter, a farmer and a state legislator has prepared me to represent citizens of the 3rd Congressional District."

RELATED: Who will run for #MS03 to replace Gregg Harper in Congress?

Another Democrat, Michael Aycox, a police officer in Newton, has also qualified to run for the seat. He could not immediately be reached for comment.

On the Republican side, those who have qualified for the June primaries are:

Sally Doty, an attorney and second-term state senator from Brookhaven who chairs the Senate Energy Committee.

Morgan Dunn of Magee, managing director of Vestra LLC, a rural health care service provider.

Michael Guest of Brandon, in his third term as district attorney for Rankin and Madison counties.

Whit Hughes of Madison, president of the Baptist Health Foundation and chief development officer of Baptist Health Systems.

Perry Parker of Seminary, who spent 30 years working in financial markets in the U.S. and abroad.

Katherine B. Tate of Jackson, an education consultant and former education administrator and auditor.