Conservative leader Dan Bongino, an ally of former U.S. Rep. Allen West, R-Fla., is running for Congress.

On Friday, Bongino filed paperwork with the FEC launching his candidacy for the Southwest Florida congressional seat held by retiring Republican Curt Clawson. Bongino joins Chauncey Goss and Francis Rooney in the GOP primary for what is considered a safe Republican seat.

“We’re definitely exploring options in the 19th,” Bongino informed Sunshine State News on Monday. “It’s a conservative district and they deserve an authentic conservative voice.”

A former New York City cop and Secret Service agent, Bongino was the Republican candidate who challenged U.S. Sen. Ben Cardin, D-Md., in 2012. Cardin routed Bongino, taking 55 percent while the Republican won only 27 percent of the vote and independent Rob Sobhani carried 17 percent.

Read more: http://therightscoop.com/dan-bongino-running-for-congress/#ixzz4BBNxcEw4