(KMZA)--A Pottawatomie County man is running as a Democratic candidate for governor.

Richard Karnowski, of Emmett, filed with the Kansas Secretary of State's Office before the June 1st deadline to challenge Democratic Governor Laura Kelly.

Karnowski, formerly of Seneca, operates a tax preparation office in Seneca.

His running mate is Barry Franco, of Seneca.

The winner of the August 2 Democratic primary election will likely face Republican Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt in the November general election.

Kansas State Senator Dennis Pyle, of rural Hiawatha, announced this week he's running as an independent candidate for governor. Pyle will need to gather 5,000 signatures by August 1st to appear on the November general election ballot.