Rep. Wil Neumann, a Republican from Belmont, plans to run for the Gaston County senate seat currently held by Sen. David Hoyle, a Democrat who lives in Dallas.

The district is Republican, but Hoyle has managed to hold the seat because of his pro-business record and ties to the business community. Neumann said he has worked well with Hoyle for several years and called him a "very good friend."

Hoyle has not said whether he will run for a 10th term.

"I’m not looking at this as a challenge to David but as it’s time for a Republican to be in that seat," Neumann said. "The community has asked me to do this."

Neumann, 47, was first elected to the House in 2006. He owns two small businesses with partners, a renewable energy company and a contractor, but said lately he has been focused on helping Republicans reclaim a majority in the House and, now, the Senate.

Kathy Harrington, the Republican candidate for Hoyle's seat last year, has not announced whether she will run again.

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