JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) — Missouri Secretary of State Jason Kander says he will run for the U.S. Senate in 2016.

Kander is the first Democrat to launch a challenge to Republican Sen. Roy Blunt. He announced his candidacy Thursday with a written statement and a video.

Kander was elected as secretary of state in 2012 and previously served in the Missouri House. He also served eight years in the Army, including duty in Afghanistan.