LAKE WILSON, Minn. — Mark York, a seventh-generation farmer from Lake Wilson, has announced he’s running for U.S. Senate as a Republican.

“I want to serve and I want to help make life more affordable,” York said in an interview. “I want to make it easier for companies (and) small businesses to create jobs and I want to cut waste in government.”

The Southwest Minnesota native joins several Republicans in the race, including former NFL sideline reporter Michele Tafoya, former U.S. Senate candidate Royce White and former GOP chairman David Hann. They are all seeking the GOP nomination for the seat being vacated by U.S. Sen. Tina Smith, a Democrat.

Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan and U.S. Rep. Angie Craig are running for the Democratic nomination.

York studied mathematics and agronomy at South Dakota State University. Following graduation, he worked in Africa as an Extension agronomist helping farmers. Once back in the U.S., he worked for a variety of companies as an agronomist and data scientist.

He is the co-founder and president of Farm Yield Africa, a company that provides West African farmers with agricultural supplies and education. He is currently studying for his Ph.D. at Harvard University, in collaboration with MIT, in computer science.

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The website yorkformn.com lists five priorities for his Senate run: Make Minnesota affordable again, rebuild Minnesota’s economy, security, combat fraud and make government efficient.

Minnesota Republicans will hold endorsing conventions in the spring, and a primary will be held on Aug. 11.