Coeur d’Alene physician Jack Riggs announced Monday that he’s running for the seat held by state Sen. Mary Lou Reed, D-Coeur d’Alene.

He said he doesn’t enjoy campaigning, but that he’s always had an interest in holding public office.

“I think I’m probably a little naive and a little altruistic,” said Riggs, a Republican and Coeur d’Alene native.

“I think there’s been a change away from American values,” Riggs said. “In the ‘70s, the waters got muddied. I think individuals in the country became very selfish.”

He has worked on the election campaigns of fellow Republicans Gov. Phil Batt and Sen. Dirk Kempthorne.

Riggs, 41, is taking on a veteran. Reed, 66, has served six terms in the Legislature, earning a reputation as a strong voice for education and the environment. She announced last week that she’s running for re-election.

Two years ago, Reed beat challenger Ron Vieselmeyer, a conservative Republican.

Riggs owns the North Idaho Immediate Care clinics in Coeur d’Alene and Post Falls. Construction on his third clinic, in Hayden, should begin next week.

Legislative District 4 includes all of Shoshone County, the western half of Benewah County and the southeast portion of Kootenai County.

, DataTimes