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By Kyle Cheney

1/27/15 3:02 PM EST

Updated 1/27/15 3:05 PM EST

Matt Bevin, the tea party candidate who lost to Sen. Mitch McConnell in last years Republican primary in Kentucky, announced Tuesday that hes running for governor.

Bevin was crushed by McConnell, but he built a base of support among conservatives and in public comments had flirted with a future run for office. He becomes the fourth Republican entrant in a field that includes former Louisville Councilman Hal Heiner, Agriculture Commissioner James Comer and former state Supreme Court Justice Will T. Scott.

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In his announcement, Bevin revealed that he picked Jenean Hampton as his running mate, noting that she would be the first black woman to be elected lieutenant governor.

Talk is cheap and voters are looking for bold leaders with the courage to actually do what needs to be done in Frankfort, he said in a statement. Jenean and I represent our Commonwealth both figuratively and literally. Our experiences in the private sector along with our years of military service, make us uniquely qualified to tackle the issues facing Kentucky today.

Democratic Attorney General Jack Conway is the front-runner for the Democratic nod to succeed Gov. Steve Beshear, who is leaving office next year after two terms.

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Tea party candidate who lost to McConnell running for Ky. gov.