Senate President Pro Tem David Long isn't taking his re-election for granted.

He will formally kick off his campaign for Wednesday with a reception at his Fort Wayne campaign headquarters.

The public is welcome to attend the 5:30 p.m. event at 7131 W. Jefferson Blvd. in the Hollows Shopping Center.

"We are very fortunate to have David Long representing Fort Wayne as President Pro Tem of the Indiana State Senate," said campaign manager Chris Creighton. "A true leader, his distinguished record of balanced budgets, fiscal responsibility and common-sense Hoosier values is crucial if we are to keep Indiana moving forward."

Long has led the Senate as President Pro Tempore since 2006, and has amassed a sizeable war chest - more than $400,000 in cash-on-hand as of April.

He faces Democrat Charles (Tom) Keen in the general election for the Senate District 16 seat.

A former naval flight officer, Keen currently is in charge of business development for several communications systems.

Long boasts the passage of key education reforms under his leadership, as well as balanced state budgets and reduced property taxes.

Before he was elected to the Senate in 1996, he served on the Fort Wayne City Council.

To contact Niki Kelly, email her at nkelly@jg.net or follow her on Twitter @nkellyatJG.