DEMOPOLIS – The jockeying for who will become the next state senator has increased by one.

District One City Councilman Thomas Moore said Thursday he would be a candidate for the senate seat vacated by Charles Steele of Tuscaloosa.

Steele resigned the seat Tuesday after accepting the vice-presidency of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, the civil rights organization founded by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

“I want to be a greater servant to Demopolis, Marengo County and the state of Alabama,” Moore said.

Moore said the decision to enter the race would create a new opportunity for him to assist the city.

“Upon election to the Senate, I would be able to better assist the council with the resources of the state,” he said.

Moore joins a growing field of would-be candidates for the job. State Rep. Bryant Melton (D-Tuscaloosa), State Rep. Bobby Singleton (D-Greensboro) and Lukata Mjumbe, who withdrew his name from consideration to be Congressman Artur Davis’ policy director have all stated they would seek the office when Gov. Bob Riley sets a special election.

The competition doesn’t daunt Moore, who said his desire to be a public servant was his motivation.

“After great consideration, I want to run for what I can do to help not only Demopolis and our county, but our entire district,” he said. “I would definitely be a senator for the entire district – no crack or crevice would be left uncovered and I would give attention to the entire district.”