State Rep. Harry Warren is running for Congress after all.

Warren, who is serving his third term in the 77th District in the N.C. House, on Wednesday filed to run for the newly redrawn 13th Congressional District, which includes part of Rowan County, most of Iredell County, Davie County, Davidson County and part of Guilford County.

Warren is the second local legislator who has filed for the seat. State Sen. Andrew Brock, R-34, has also filed to run for the 13th Congressional District.

After federal judges declared North Carolina’s congressional map unconstitutional, the 13th Congressional District was moved to the Piedmont in a recent N.C. General Assembly redrawing. The 8th Congressional District, currently represented by Richard Hudson, remained in Rowan County as part of the redrawing.

When first asked about whether he’d run for the 13th District seat, Warren declined to say whether he was interested. On Tuesday, Warren clarified that he “thought it was presumptuous” to declare to run for Congress before federal judges approved the new congressional map. He said it’s unlikely judges will approve the map before filing for congressional races ends this week.

Warren said he was interested in running for Congress because America has major problems that he can help solve. He said voters should look to his track record in the state legislature, which he called “extremely productive and successful.” He listed his work on bills addressing workers’ compensation and mandatory voter identification as significant accomplishments. He also mentioned his support of Fibrant — Salisbury’s municipal Internet, phone and TV service — and the de-annexation of the Rowan County Airport from Salisbury.

“There’s a long list of things in the legislature, major pieces of legislation that I’ve authored and local projects that have brought money back to Rowan County,” he said.

Warren said he’s concerned about America’s national security, the nation’s economic stability and the future of Social Security. All three were topics he mentioned as some of the “biggest threats facing us right now.” He said there’s a need to “reduce the size of the federal government and cut back on the cost of government.”

He said it’s also important that constituents hold their elected officials accountable. If elected, Warren said he plans to continue hosting regular town hall meetings.

“I won’t be someone who goes off to Washington and comes back when it’s time for ribbon cuttings,” he said.

A number of people have asked him to run, Warren said.

He is the latest in a number of candidates who have filed for the 13th Congressional District. A total of seven candidates, including six Republicans, have filed for the seat.

Despite his bid for Congress, Warren is allowed to continue seeking re-election to the N.C. House. Earlier this month, he won the Republican primary for the 77th N.C. House District. If he wins the Republican primary for the 13th Congressional District, he’ll have to pick a position to run for in the November general elections, according to a contingent congressional plan passed earlier this year.

The primary elections for Congress in North Carolina will be June 7 of this year.

If either Warren or Brock wins the congressional primary and chooses to run for Congress, someone will be appointed to serve a full, two-year term in the General Assembly that ends in 2018.

Contact reporter Josh Bergeron at 704-797-4246.