Republicans have finally found a replacement candidate for the seat of retiring Rep. Deborah Pryce (R-OH): Steve Stivers, a state Representative and Iraq War veteran, told the Columbus Dispatch that he will run for Congress.

Stivers, who initially declined to run for the seat, is ending a tense period for the Ohio GOP, which had failed to attract any strong candidates to the race in the nearly three months since Pryce made her surprise announcement. Stivers will likely face Franklin County Commissioner and 2006 Democratic nominee Mary Jo Kilroy (D) for the seat in this toss-up district.