New Iberia insurance agent Larry Rader, a Democrat, announced Friday that he will seek the 3rd Congressional District seat.

Rader joins six Republicans — Scott Angelle, Greg Ellison, Brett Geymann, Clay Higgins, Gus Rantz and Grover Joseph Rees — in the race.

Erick Knezek recently withdrew.

The winner will replace incumbent Charles Boustany, who is running for the U.S. Senate.

Rader, born and reared in nearby Jeanerette, said he will promote equal pay as a campaign issue.

“Equal pay is a family issue,” said Rader, noting in his announcement that many families depend on women’s paychecks.

Fifty-three percent of Louisiana’s working-class households are headed by women, he said.

In his announcement, he said he would work for job creation and for youth rehabilitation rather than youth incarceration.

He said he is a pro-life candidate and a Second Amendment supporter.

Rader serves as the president of the Port of Iberia Board of Commissioners, chair of the Iberia Democratic Party Executive Committee, vice president of the Kiwanis Club for New Iberia, and has served as chair of the Iberia Parish Mosquito Control.

Rader will make an official announcement at 10 a.m. Thursday on the Lafayette Parish Courthouse steps.