MONTGOMERY (AP) — State Rep. John Merrill of Tuscaloosa plans a series of news conferences over the next two days to announce that he is running for the Republican Party nomination for Alabama Secretary of State in 2014.

Incumbent Secretary of State Beth Chapman is serving her second term and by law can't run in 2014,

The 49-year-old Merrill plans news conferences today in Tuscaloosa and Huntsville and in Montgomery and Mobile Wednesday.

Merrill is a former communications director for the Tuscaloosa County Board of Education and has represented Tuscaloosa County in the House of Representatives since November 2010.

Merrill is currently business development officer and Highway 69 South-Taylorville Branch Manager for First Federal Bank. Merrill said he feels his experience makes him qualified to serve the state as secretary of state.