Michael Watson is expected to announce his candidacy this afternoon for State Senate District 51.
Watson, a Republican from Pascagoula, will run against long-time incumbent Tommy Robertson, who filed last month.
The race is expected to be one of the most widely-watched of the GOP primary. Robertson is considered a power player at the Capitol, chairing the Senate's Finance Committee. But he has taken heat in his home district for two DUI convictions and for receiving a lucrative contract for some Hurricane Katrina work while serving as a State Senator.
Watson gained prominence at Ole Miss. He was an active member of Campus Crusade for Christ, the law school senator in the ASB, a member of the Ole Miss Hall of Fame, and a five-year starter in Charity Bowl at wide receiver.
Most recently, he's practiced law at Dogan & Wilkinson.