Neil Durrance for Congress

Denton County Democratic Party Chairman Neil Durrance announced Friday that he has taken his first step toward a congressional run against U.S. Rep. Michael Burgess, (R) Lewisville, next year. Durrance said he filed a statement of candidacy with the Federal Elections Commission, allowing him to begin raising money for his campaign."It is time for new leadership for the citizens of District 26," Durrance said.Burgess could not be reached for comment Friday.

Durrance's announcement comes two days after Denton County Democrats celebrated President Obama's first 100 days in office. At the party, Durrance urged fellow Democrats to work for the changes they wanted to see brought to the state and country.

Durrance said he has long considered running for a spot on the U.S. Congress."The need for change, to bring change, and to move Texas forward has been one of the primary motivations to me, and the fact we need to bring government back to the people," he said.County Republican Chairwoman Dianne Edmondson acknowledged Durrance as a candidate with a high profile in the county."I won't suspect it will be any problem at all for him to win his primary," she said. "We wish him well in his primary, and he'll understand this: It's our job to make sure, after the primary, his race is not so successful."

Durrance has practiced law since 1981, served as a City Council member, and was elected chairman of the Denton County Democratic Party in 2007.Filing with the elections commission allows Durrance to begin the fundraising phase of the campaign. During this phase, the organizational structure of the campaign, including staff, will be put in place."We're going to start getting our message out about the plan we have for the citizens of District 26," he said.