Veteran Danville Alderman Michael Puhr on Friday filed petitions to run as a Democrat for state representative in the 104th House District.

For now, Puhr has no Democratic Party opposition. One Republican, former Catlin Mayor Chad Hays, also has filed to run in the district that includes almost all of Vermilion County and much of eastern Champaign County. The filing period for the Feb. 2 primary election ends Monday.

The 104th District is now represented by Bill Black, R-Danville, who will retire in 2011 after 24 years in the House.

Puhr, 54, has been an alderman since 2001. He ran unsuccessfully for mayor in 2003. He was born in Wisconsin but has lived in Danville since 1966. For 36 years, he has been operations manager at Danville Memorial Gardens and Funeral Home.

"This is a very winnable district," Puhr said. "I think this is an opportune time for new candidates to emerge and I look forward to fulfilling that role."

He said he met Hays in the early 1990s. "I know who he is and he knows who I am," Puhr said. "I'm looking forward to a good race. This is going to be about bringing good things to the people of downstate Illinois."

Puhr said he has already been endorsed by the Vermilion County Democratic Party.