MODESTO (AP) — The son of former Democratic Congressman Gary Condit, ousted when his relationship with a Washington intern emerged after her disappearance, is running as an independent for the Central California seat once held by his father.

Chad Condit, 44, announced his bid through a campaign website, where he said he wants to take on the partisan gridlock that controls Washington.

“I’m asking you to join me in a different kind of campaign, an independent campaign, a campaign that’s going to take on Washington, D.C., and shock this nation,” Condit said in a video posted on the site.

Incumbent Jeff Denham, a Republican, is already facing a challenge from Democrat and former astronaut Jose Hernandez in the newly redrawn 10th Congressional District. Democrats see the seat as a top pick-up opportunity this year.

The new district represents Manteca, Ripon, Escalon and all of Stanislaus County.

Condit  did not immediately return a phone message from The Associated Press on Friday.

Condit sent his first Twitter message Friday, announcing that he picked up nomination papers and paid his filing fee.

The district includes the San Joaquin Valley, where the senior Condit held a variety of political posts before he was defeated in 2002 amid the disappearance of former U.S. Bureau of Prisons intern Chandra Levy.

Another man was eventually convicted of Levy’s murder, but Condit refused to answer questions about his relationship with the woman.

Chad Condit and his sister Cadee both resigned their jobs in the administration of former California Gov. Gray Davis when the governor said he was disheartened that Condit “did not speak out more quickly or more fully” about his relationship with Levy.

The Federal Election Commission’s website did not show any campaign finance reports from Condit as of Friday.

It was also unclear where Condit’s primary residence is. The family ran a Baskin-Robbins franchise in the Phoenix area for several years until a falling out with the company, and public records still appear to show an Arizona address for Chad Condit.