Longtime Montgomery Mayor Mick McGuire is looking to follow in his father’s footsteps and win a spot in the Minnesota House of Representatives.

McGuire announced Wednesday he is seeking to be the Democratic candidate in District 25A, a district that includes all of Le Sueur County, half of Sibley County and the city of New Prague. It is currently represented by Rep. Laura Brod, R-New Prague. McGuire’s father, Michael E. McGuire, served in the state House and Senate in the 1960s.

“I developed kind of a healthy respect for all officeholders because you could see what they’re up against,” said McGuire, the owner of McGuire Landscaping.

That sentiment was common then but has been replaced with cynical or angry attitudes about political officials today, he said.

But his five terms as mayor, membership on the Region Nine Development Commission and work with a landscaping contractors association have made him aware of the issues and challenges facing the state, McGuire said.

Promoting quality education and improved infrastructure would be at the top of his agenda, he said. Both are crucial to small businesses and to the economic health of Minnesota.

“The public school system is really the backbone of our communities,” McGuire said.

The first candidate to announce for the seat, McGuire isn’t convinced he’ll be running against Brod — a four-term incumbent who has risen to leadership positions in the House Republican caucus and is rumored to be interested in running for governor. Brod didn’t respond to a request for comment.

If Brod does seek re-election to her House seat, she might be able to use some of McGuire’s comments on her campaign brochure. Having known her from her days on the New Prague City Council, McGuire had no interest in criticizing her.

“Laura has done a good job of representing our district,” McGuire said. “She is kind of a bright and upcoming star in her party, and I know she has other aspirations.”

McGuire, who was a city councilman before his repeated mayoral elections, has never lost a general election. He did finish as runner-up in a race for the DFL endorsement in a special election for the District 25 Senate seat in December 2007, losing to Northfield school teacher Kevin Dahle — who went on to win the special election the following month.