Scandal plagued former U.S. Rep. David Rivera, R-Fla., announced on Thursday that he plans to run for the Republican nomination to challenge U.S. Rep. Joe Garcia, D-Fla.

Today I announced my candidacy for the United States Congress in Florida's 26th Congressional District, Rivera informed supporters on Thursday night. I'm running to ensure that our community has an effective representative in Congress who can work to deliver results and create jobs in South Florida. The current congressman is a Democrat who represents the failed economic policies of Barack Obama and Nancy Pelosi. It's time for a change.

The news is not sitting well with the leading Republican already looking to defeat Garcia. Miami Dade School Board Member Carlos Curbelo, the favorite to win , sounded the alarm on Thursday night about Rivera.

David Rivera is going to run for Congress again, despite being under investigation by federal agencies for serious allegations that, like Joe Garcia, he participated in a fraudulent scheme to influence an election, Curbelo emailed supporters on Thursday night. I believe that our district deserves better. We deserve someone who is looking out for us, not themselves. As I talk to the people of this district, it is clear that they are ready for a change. We deserve better, and that is why I am running for Congress.

Qualifying for Congress ends on Friday.