Former congressman Ed Case announced this morning that he is running for Congress in 2010.

"I've been honored to serve in elective office over four years in Congress and eight years in our Hawai'i State Legislature," Case said in an e-mail to his supporters and a video announcement on his campaign Web site. "For me the question has never been whether to continue my public service, but when and how. My head and heart tell me I can best serve by returning to Washington, D.C."

The 1st Congressional District seat is being vacated by U.S. Rep. Neil Abercrombie, D-Hawai'i, who is running for governor.

Honolulu City Councilman Charles Djou is running for the seat as a Republican.

Case represented the 2nd Congressional District between 2002 and 2007. He ran unsuccessfully against U.S. Sen. Daniel Akaka, D-Hawai'i, in the Democratic primary for Senate in 2006. He also lost in the Democratic primary for governor in 2002.

Case, an attorney, served in the state House from 1994 to 2002.