SHEBOYGAN, WI (WHBL) - There are now three candidates in the running for the 26th District Assembly seat. Former Assemblyman Terry Van Akkeren of Sheboygan and Terry Katsma of Oostburg both announced their candidacies on Thursday. Van Akkeren held the seat for eight years before losing to Mike Endsley in 2010. He says district residents deserve to have a representative who will serve them first. Van Akkeren said he was encouraged to run by people in Sheboygan and Madison and, with the seat open, now was the perfect time for him to run. Katsma, who has spent the past 34 years in the banking industry, said he has worked in the private sector and now he's ready to serve in the public sector. He said, if elected, his major focus will be controlling spending and reducing excessive government regulations. Katsma will face Job Hou-Seye in the GOP primary in August. So far, Van Akkeren is the only Democrat in the race.