Charleston City Councilman Henry Fishburne said Friday that he plans to run for the state Senate, making him the first official challenger against Republican Sen. John Kuhn.

Kuhn, who lives in downtown Charleston, made headlines last year after angering fellow Republicans by filibustering to death a bond bill that contained $80 million for Charleston colleges.

Fishburne, also a Republican, has served on City Council since 2000 but said he was ready to make the leap to state politics.

"I think I've got the experience and maturity and ability to represent the district the way it expects and deserves to be represented," he said.

Kuhn won the Senate District 43 seat in a special election in 2001. But he drew heavy criticism from some Charleston Republicans in the House of Representatives after the bond bill was killed on the last day of the session in 2003.

"It was a prima donna, selfish act, and I think it's ridiculous the Senate let him do it," state Rep. Wallace Scarborough, R-James Island, said at the time. "He's been a loose cannon, and we can't get a handle on it. He simply thought he was in control."

Other Republicans called it a principled stand because the Senate never saw the bill until the final day, and Kuhn said he wasn't going to vote on a "huge borrowing bill I'd never seen or heard of, particularly in a recession."

He spoke for two hours.

The bond bill will come up again, possibly as soon as next week.

Fishburne declined to comment on Kuhn's record in the Statehouse, saying he'll address his stances and issues later.

"I am going to run for this seat, and I think I am well qualified to do it," he said, adding that he has already talked to Mayor Joe Riley about his intentions. Fishburne is a private practice attorney and represents the city's District 1.

Fishburne does not have to give up his City Council seat while he runs for the Statehouse, a point Kuhn said is interesting considering Fishburne was re-elected in November to represent city voters for another term.

Senate District 43's boundaries were recently redrawn. It stretches from downtown Charleston to Berkeley County but also includes parts of James Island and Mount Pleasant.

The Republican primary is in June.