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The already-crowded field of would-be Republican presidential candidates grew again on Thursday when Sen. Lindsey O. Graham (R-S.C.) announced the formation of an exploratory committee for president.

The launch of the Security Through Strength committee enables Graham to raise money for a potential run. Its the clearest sign yet that he is serious about entering the race, and comes as a flurry of White House aspirants are taking public and private steps toward entering what could be the most wide-open GOP primary in memory.

Graham is not regarded as a top-tier candidate by most Republicans and may run into problems because of some moderate views he holds.

But he is known primarily as one of the GOPs leading hawks on national security and represents an early nominating state, making him a potentially disruptive force in a fluid race. His positions on the use of U.S. force will probably put him at odds with at least one other prominent 2016 hopeful, Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.), who represents the growing libertarian wing of the party.

Addressing reporters at the Capitol, Graham said he was optimistic that his brand of Republican politics could be a good fit for the country.

I am confident that conservatism can win a national election, that my form of conservatism has been accepted in South Carolina, and maybe it will be accepted outside of South Carolina, he said. I wont know until I try.

Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas, another Republican making moves toward running, called Graham a good man, a friend and a man of deep passions.

Cruz and Paul are laying the groundwork for a possible run, as are former Florida governor Jeb Bush, New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie and Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida, to name a few other GOP hopefuls.

I think it is entirely likely that we will see a crowded field, Cruz said. And thats a healthy thing.

Whether the field has room for a candidate running primarily on national security is what Graham will be testing in the coming months.

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Lindsey Graham of South Carolina joins other Republicans in pursuit of presidency