NEW ORLEANS - Another Republican is joining the U.S. Senate race in Louisiana.

Former U.S. Rep. Joseph Cao  announced his candidacy Tuesday in a news release.

Cao became the nation's first Vietnamese-American congressman with his unexpected defeated of a scandal-plagued incumbent Democrat, William Jefferson, in 2008. Two years later, he lost the New Orleans-based seat to another Democrat, Cedric Richmond.

Four other Republicans have announced plans to compete for the seat on the November ballot: U.S. Rep. Charles Boustany (booh-STAH'-nee), U.S. Rep. John Fleming, state Treasurer John Kennedy and retired Air Force Col. Rob Maness.

A Democrat, New Orleans lawyer Caroline Fayard, announced her candidacy a month ago. Another Democrat, Public Service Commissioner Foster Campbell, has not made a formal announcement but has begun telling news outlets that he will be a candidate.