PHOENIX (AP) - Former football player Andrew Walter has announced his candidacy for the Republican nomination in the Phoenix-area 9th Congressional District seat now held by first-term Democrat Kyrsten Sinema.

Walter announced his candidacy Wednesday, saying he wants to tackle what he called "irresponsible spending and unsustainable debt, chronic unemployment, and a broken education system."

Walter was quarterback for Arizona State University before playing professional for the NFL. His announcement statement says he is now managing partner of a lending firm.

Sinema, a former state legislator, was elected in 2012 to be the first representative from the 9th District, which was created as a result of post-Census reapportionment.

The district includes Tempe and parts of Phoenix, Chandler and Mesa.