Clayton Councilman Robert W. "Bobby" Cantwell III announced Monday that he will campaign for the 118th Assembly District seat, setting up a likely Republican Party primary.

"My heart and my gut tell me this is absolutely where I'm supposed to be and what I'm supposed to be doing," he said.

This week, the Clayton native will organize his team and mull what his campaign's core issues will be.

Mr. Cantwell said he is certain that family needs, from education to housing to senior care, will be "a huge cornerstone of my platform."

The focus now, he said, is to reach out to the district's residents to find out their priorities.

"I'm not going to run my political campaign on experience," said Mr. Cantwell, who has served a combined four years on two government boards. "I'll hang my hat on being positive and on listening and learning from the people."

As a heavy-equipment salesman for 14 years, Mr. Cantwell said, he's talked many times to farmers and small-business owners about their struggles. Now he's looking to expand that conversation to the district's 73,000 voters.

Mr. Cantwell said he wants to be "moderately progressive" in finding solutions to core issues, but added he will do so in a responsible manner.

The Clayton resident said he is "very passionate" about challenges involving the St. Lawrence River, including protecting the surrounding environment and the local tourism industry.

Mr. Cantwell expressed no concern about a likely primary with St. Lawrence County Clerk Patricia A. Ritchie, who has been publicly supported by the Republican Assembly Campaign Committee.

"Maybe I should be worried, but I'm not," he said. "The people will decide."

Mrs. Ritchie has not announced her candidacy yet, but is expected to soon.

On the Democratic side, the likely candidate pool includes Jefferson County Sheriff John P. Burns, Massena Town Councilman John M. Wicke and Pamelia Town Councilman Timothy E. Kelly.

Massena Police Chief Timmy J. Currier, registered without party affiliation, has said he would like the Democratic nomination. Donald J. Lucas, an Alcoa retiree and Massena fishing guide, intends to seek the seat as an independent.

The district includes 28,888 registered Republicans, 24,739 registered Democrats and 19,526 registered in minor parties or without party affiliation, according to a March report by the state Board of Elections. Fifty-two percent of those registered live in St. Lawrence County.