MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Former Democratic gubernatorial candidate Josh Pade plans to challenge freshman Republican U.S. Rep. Bryan Steil (STILE) in next year's election.

Steil represents southeast Wisconsin's 1st Congressional District and is in the middle of his first term. Steil replaced former House Speaker Paul Ryan.

The 39-year-old Pade is a Kenosha attorney who received less than 1% of the vote in the Democratic primary for governor last year. He announced his candidacy in an interview with the Cap Times published Wednesday.

Pade says he decided to run for office again because he has "knowledge and understanding of the leadership that's needed to tackle these challenges that we have right now."

Steil spokesman Alex Walker did not address Pade's entry in the race, saying only that Steil is focused on his job, "not partisan politics."