Helena resident Jack Gray formally announced his candidacy Tuesday for the Republican nomination for the Alabama House of Representatives District 49 seat.

The seat is currently held by Cam Ward (R-Alabaster), who will run for Hank Erwin’s Alabama Senate seat in 2010. Erwin is seeking the nomination for lieutenant governor.

Gray, who has been a Helena resident since 1988 and has served on Helena’s Zoning and Planning Commission since 1992, said he has worked to make Helena a better place and would like to turn his skills to District 49. The district covers parts of Shelby and Bibb counties.

“I’ve worked very hard to make Helena a better place to live,” he said. “I’ve always been involved with the city.”

He’s been involved with Kiwanis, the Buck Creek Festival planning committee, Movies in the Park and the Helena Civitan Club.

Gray said he was waiting to see what Ward decided to do before making his move towards state politics.

“I’m a big supporter of (Ward). I think he’s doing a great job,” Gray said.

Gray said that as a state representative, he would focus on economic development, infrastructure and education.