South Dakota Senate Democratic leader Billie Sutton says that he's running for governor in 2018.

Sutton announced his bid Wednesday to more than 100 supporters at his family's ranch near Burke. The investment consultant and former rodeo rider faces a challenging race in heavily Republican South Dakota.

He has served as a member of the state Senate since 2011 representing District 21 in south central South Dakota.

U.S. Rep. Kristi Noem and Attorney General Marty Jackley are Republicans competing for the governor's office in 2018. The GOP controls every statewide office and supermajorities in both legislative chambers.

Original story:

South Dakota Senate Minority Leader Billie Sutton will soon announce his political future plans.

Sutton says he'll make an announcement Wednesday at his ranch in Burke. Last month Sutton said he was considering a run for governor or the U.S. House next year.

The investment consultant and former rodeo rider has served as a member of the state Senate since 2011 representing District 21 in south central South Dakota.

Sutton's father was the Democratic candidate for lieutenant governor in 1978.

(The Associated Press contributed to this report.)