POST FALLS - Pat Whalen believes the timing is right for him both personally and politically to make a run for the Idaho Senate.

Whalen, a Post Falls resident and president of the Resource Computing software firm in Coeur d'Alene, announced Wednesday that he plans to seek Sen. Bob Nonini's District 3 legislative seat, starting with the May primary.

Whalen, a Republican, is the current president of the Boys and Girls Club of Kootenai County and has served on Rotary in Coeur d'Alene for more than 20 years, including time as a past president.

"I've had success in building teams and consensus," Whalen said. "If you look at how fractured the Republican Party is, it's going to take that to make an impact on the community with economic development. You need a team builder."

Whalen, a political newcomer, said he was inspired to run after reading a recent article in the North Idaho Business Journal of The Press on how Twin Falls has been able to capitalize on economic development through unified leadership.

"That hit home with me," the 53-year-old said. "I see real opportunities for us to get out in front of economic development."

Through his business, Whalen said he sees opportunities for economic growth, ranging from software development to improved bandwidth.

"I love what North Idaho College has done with professional-technical education, but I'd also like to see us focus on areas such as software that are going to be so prevalent in the future," he said.

Whalen said he's also interested in helping solve the health care "puzzle."

"Who knows what's going to happen with Obamacare," he said. "Pieces of that need put together and rearranged."

Whalen's wife, Lora, is the director of the Panhandle Health District. They moved to Post Falls in 1991. They have two grown children, so Whalen said the timing to serve at the Legislature works well for him.

"Lora and I have been incredibly blessed to achieve a certain level of success, and believe it's important to give back to the community," he said.

Whalen, a four-time finisher of the Ironman triathlon in Coeur d'Alene, said he is confident that he can juggle work duties and legislative priorities.

"As long as I can connect to the Internet, I can work from anywhere," he said.