A Virginia-Highland man is among the challengers set to face incumbent U.S. Rep. John Lewis for the District 5 congressional seat.

Republican Howard Stopeck, 73, officially threw his name in the race Wednesday, the first day candidates began qualifying for local, state and national offices.

This is the time when candidates pay their fees and officially put their names on the 2012 ballot.

Virginia-Highland resident Stopeck, a retired lawyer, made an unsuccessful bid for Congress in 1984.

Lewis, a long-time congressman and civil rights icon, will face Democrat Michael Johnson, 43, in the primary.

Johnson’s professional experience includes seven years as a Fulton County Superior Court Judge and more than seven years as a prosecutor for the DeKalb County Solicitor's Office, the Fulton County District Attorney's Office and the State Attorney General's Office.

Candidates have until Friday, May 25 at noon to file papers to run for office. Stick with Patch for updates on the race.

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