Associated Press - November 20, 2009 2:15 PM ET

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) - A Columbus Republican plans to challenge U.S. Rep. Adrian Smith in next year's 3rd District primary.

Dennis Parker is a church music director who decided to run for Congress despite never having held office before.

Parker says he wants to stand up for the values America was founded on, and he thinks the U.S. Bill of Rights are comparable to the major social concerns described in the Old Testament of the Bible.

Democrat Rebekah Davis of Alliance has also said she plans to challenge Smith in 2010.

Smith fended off Democrat Jay Stoddard in 2008 to win a second term representing the western two-thirds of Nebraska.

Information from: Columbus Telegram, http://www.columbustelegram.com

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