The race for an open state Senate seat just got a little more crowded today. State Rep. Ray Pilon, R-Sarasota, mailed in paperwork Friday to file as a candidate for state Senate and will not seek a fourth term in the state House. Just a couple months ago, Pilon said he would run for a final term in the House, but said he changed his mind when he saw the final court-approved map of the district, which includes all of Sarasota County and west Charlotte County. “I saw an opportunity to move into the Senate,” he said.

He notes plans drafted by the Legislature in special session would have dramatically altered the district and split Sarasota County in two, something that turned his focus on the House, but with a district that looks much more like the one drawn by the Legislature in 2002, Pilon now likes his odds running for the higher office. And with the legislative session just complete, he can now start to aggressively raise funds for a broader campaign. Within 24 hours, Pilon plans to transfer his treasury account for his state House campaign, where he had already raised more than $110,000 for this election cycle, to his Senate race.

But he joins a heavy Republican field that already includes Republicans state Rep. Greg Steube, former state Rep. Doug Holder, former Sarasota County Commissioner Nora Patterson and Potomac Financial CEO Rick Levine, as well as Democrat Frank Anthony Cirillo. Steube has more than $229,000 raised and has racked up endorsements during session. Patterson has more than $92,000 raised and loaned herself $60,000. Holder has raised more than $178,000. “Money will come if people support me,” Pilon said. He hopes his moderate conservative stance and some specific successes on this year’s water bill, juvenile justice reforms and laws helping seniors obtain prescription medication will win over voters. The primary election is scheduled for Aug. 30, with the general election slated for Nov. 8 

Of course, Pilon’s move to the Senate ballot shakes up the race for his House seat, where Democrat Ed James III, a successful campaign operative who helped underdog candidate like U.S. Rep. Gwen Graham and Sarasota City Commissioner Shelli Freeland Eddie win office, had raised more than $76,000 to challenge Pilon in November. On Monday, Sarasota businesswoman Alexandra Miller, CEO of Mercedes Medical, filed as a Republican in the state House contest, running on her experience as an entrepreneur and knowledge of the health care industry.