Adam Kokesh, the self-described "Revolutionary Patriot" who is challenging U.S. Rep. Ben Ray Luján for his 3rd District Congressional seat next year, will run as a Republican, his campaign announced Thursday.

Kokesh, of Santa Fe, never has made it secret that he's a registered Republican, but in interviews this year he had said he was undecided which party banner he'd run under.

"Adam Kokesh has been weighing options as to which party he would be running under, if any, for New Mexico's Third Congressional District," a campaign news release said Thursday. "Because his platform is post-partisan, he has been approached by many parties. He comes from a long line of Republicans and has been registered as a Republican since he was old enough to vote. He has indicated he filed with the FEC under the Republican Party."

But nobody would call Kokesh — an Iraq War veteran and vocal anti-war activist — a typical Republican. He was detained by police at the Republican National Convention in Minneapolis last year after he heckled GOP presidential nominee John McCain's acceptance speech.

"Often a critic of the party leadership, he believes the actual platform — limited government and lower taxes — is most aligned with his belief system, even though the Republican office holders have strayed far away from the party platform," the news release said.

Kokesh was a supporter of U.S. Rep. Ron Paul's presidential campaign last year. Now he has the Texas Republican's support for his congressional race.

The former Marine might not be alone in the GOP primary in Northern New Mexico. Rio Rancho businessman Dan East, who ran against Luján last year, is thinking of running again. East on Thursday said he hasn't decided if he'll actually run. He wouldn't say whether he'd support the ticket if Kokesh wins next June's primary.

The 3rd District is overwhelmingly Democratic in terms of registration. As of March, there were 201,469 registered Democrats, compared with 86,563 Republicans, 50,165 declined-to-state and 8,769 registered for other parties.

In the general election, Luján won with 57 percent of the vote. Republican East got 30 percent, while independent Carol Miller got 13 percent of the vote.

Contact Steve Terrell at 986-3037 or sterrell@sfnewmexican.com. Read his political blog at roundhouseroundup.com.