Kansas House Minority Leader Paul Davis has formed a campaign committee for a potential run for the Democratic nomination for governor next year.

Davis announced Thursday that he’s created the committee and appointed former state Rep. William Kassebaum, of Burdick, as his treasurer. Kassebaum is the son of former U.S. Sen. Nancy Kassebaum Baker and served in the House as a moderate Republican.

Davis is a Lawrence attorney and is the first prominent Democrat to publicly show an interest in challenging Republican Gov. Sam Brownback. But Davis spokeswoman Haley Pollock emphasized that he’s not yet formally announcing his candidacy.

Davis has served in the House since 2003. He’s been repeatedly mentioned by prominent Democrats as a potential challenger to Brownback.