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State Sen. Frank Antenori made it official Friday morning, telling a room packed with journalists and fellow Republicans in Green Valley that he’s in the race for Congress — actually, two of them. Antenori said he is a candidate to complete Gabrielle Giffords’ term representing Congressional District 8, and also is running for new CD2 in November.

“Well, I guess the secret’s sort of out of the bag,” he told the Republican Club of Green Valley/Sahuarita. Antenori actually made the announcement a couple of hours earlier on a conservative talk-radio show in Tucson.

Antenori, 45, touted the work of the current Republican-dominated state Legislature in balancing the budget after “the previous governor (Janet Napolitano) went wild with the credit card.”

“She left the state on the brink of financial collapse,” he said.

Antenori said he would “commit to no personal attacks” in what is expected to be a tough primary against Jesse Kelly, but said he would point out “glaring differences” between the two.

Dave Sitton, a radio broadcaster and global marketing director for the University of Arizona Cancer Center, has formed an exploratory committee for the race.

Antenori said he will see the state budget process through in the Legislature then make a decision about whether he will resign to focus on his campaigns.

“The train is leaving the station today and it’s full steam ahead until November,” he said.

Antenori has served in the Legislature for three years. He was appointed to the Senate in March 2010 when Jonathan Paton resigned to run for Congress. He’s currently the Senate majority whip.

Antenori said running two campaigns at once will be tricky. CD8 includes several communities north of Tucson that are not in the redrawn CD2, which is still waiting final approval.

“This is going to be a long haul,” he said. “This is an unprecedented situation.”