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GREENSBORO — Former Greensboro Councilman Don Vaughan said Wednesday he is ready to take a shot at state Sen. Kay Hagan's seat in 2008.

Vaughan, a Democrat, served on the City Council from 1991 to 2005, when he lost a re-election bid.

Vaughan, who said he has already filed the paperwork to run, currently serves on the State Banking Commission.

"I have the desire for public service in Raleigh and to serve Greensboro again," Vaughan said. "I feel I can do our community a great deal of good in the N.C. General Assembly."

Vaughan, an attorney, has had a small lobbying practice but said he has only one bill pending before the legislature right now. He would have to give up lobbying should he become a member of the legislature.

Vaughan said the top issues for the area are economic development, transportation and education.

The 55-year-old cited getting the funding to complete the Urban Loop around Greensboro as a top priority.

Vaughan, a Greensboro native, said his knowledge of the city from working and living makes him the right candidate.

"I feel that I know the needs of Greensboro," he said. "I feel that I know the people in Greensboro."

Vaughan has made a bid for the legislature before. He lost a close election in 1996 for the District 27 Senate seat that Hagan won in 1998.

The district includes central and northern Greensboro. About half of the roughly 130,000 voters there are Democrats. Another 30 percent are Republicans, with the rest unaffiliated.

The district is one of four that includes parts of Guilford County.

Hagan, a Democrat, is leaving her seat to take on Elizabeth Dole for a U.S. Senate seat.

There could be interest in the seat from other Democrats.

County Commissioner Paul Gibson has said he has been seriously considering a run. Democrats have also mentioned former county Commissioner Margaret Arbuckle as a possible candidate.

Staff writer Jason Hardin contributed to this report.

Contact Mark Binker at (919) 832-5549 or mark.binker@news-record.com