OVERLAND PARK, Kan. -- Johnson County District Attorney Phill Kline announced Monday that he will seek re-election.

Kline had previously said that he wouldn't run for the office again, so most of the state's top Republicans have endorsed former prosecutor Steve Howe in the race.

Kline got the job as Johnson County's top law enforcement officer last year when he was elected by county Republican leaders to take over the remaining time left in Paul Morrison's term.

Surrounded by family and friends, Kline spoke to supporters in Overland Park on Monday night about why he decided to run. "It's vitally important to have people who uphold the law, who have the duty of enforcing the law, who will do so against others, no matter what their power, what their influence, what their political persuasion or what their ability to purchase rights others do not have," Kline said.

Kline will run against Howe in the August primary. The winner would take on Democrat Rick Guinn.