HARRISBURG Former congressman Pat Toomey is kicking off his second campaign for Sen. Arlen Specter's seat.

The 47-year-old Toomey is announcing his candidacy this morning.

Toomey said the nation must choose between a massive expansion of its government or a smaller government, individual freedom and fiscal responsibility.

Toomey was a little-known congressman from northeastern Pennsylvania in 2004 when he nearly defeated Specter in the Republican primary. He stepped down Monday as president of the Washington-based Club for Growth, a post he's held since he left Congress in 2005.

Specter is among a dwindling number of moderates in an increasingly conservative Republican Party as he seeks a sixth term. Toomey has criticized Specter's vote in February for the federal economic stimulus program.