State Senator Ben Nesselhuf of Vermillion has filed paperwork to seek the Democratic nomination for secretary of state next year.

The office is now held by Republican Chris Nelson, who is prevented by term limits from seeking re-election.

Nesselhuf is the first Democrat officially in the race. He filed a statement of organization for his campaign on October 9.

Republican candidates for secretary of state are Jason Gant, a state senator from Sioux Falls, and Teresa Bray, a deputy secretary of state.

Delegates to the Republican and Democratic state conventions will pick their party's candidate for the November 2010 election.