BOISE - Rep. Phil Hart, R-Hayden, filed Friday morning to run for a fifth two-year term in the Idaho Legislature, the Idaho secretary of state's office has confirmed.

Hart will run for office again in the newly remapped legislative District 2. Hart is running for House Seat B.

Following the passage of the Hart-sponsored House Bill 578 out of the House State Affairs Committee to the House floor's amending order on a 12-6 vote, Hart walked to the secretary of state's office and officially filed his candidacy.

"I had a lot of people encourage me," Hart said of his decision to run again. "More and more and more people encouraged me."

Former State Senator Mike Jorgenson filed paperwork to seek the Republican nomination for the Idaho State Senate representing Legislative District 2.

Jorgenson served three terms in the state Senate, losing a fourth election bid in the 2010 primary to Steve Vick, the incumbent whose name will also be on this year's primary election ballot.

Fritz Wiedenhoff, a Republican from Rathdrum, had filed for the District 2 Senate seat, but he withdrew Friday and re-filed for the 2B House seat.

Athol Democrat Shirley McFaddan has also filed her candidacy.

"Since the last election I have been working hard to start a new restaurant in Hayden," Jorgenson said in a press release. "This new venture has been rewarding in helping to create new jobs for my community but I still have a strong commitment to public service. I hope to return to the Idaho Senate with a fresh mindset, new ideas and a better understanding of what small businesses need to help create a stronger economy."

Jorgenson is the owner of Copa restaurant on Government Way.

HB578, according to Hart's statement of purpose with the bill, would provide "for the voluntary use of gold and silver coin as legal tender in the State of Idaho as an alternative to the Federal Reserve Notes that currently circulate as our only currency."

Did the success with HB578 make Hart want to file to run for the state legislature again?

"I just filed five minutes ago," Hart said with a laugh at about 9 a.m.

Hart said a legislative "mentor" he declined to name sometimes waited until 4:55 p.m. on the filing deadline day to file to run for office.

Friday at 5 p.m. was the deadline to file a candidacy with the secretary of state's office. The filing period began Feb. 27.

Did Hart consider the committee action on HB578 a legislative victory?

"I just think it's for all the people of Idaho," Hart said. "There is a lot of interest all throughout the state."