Justin Ready, the 27-year-old former executive director of the Maryland Republican Party, announced today his bid to become a state lawmaker.

Ready, who lives in Westminster and owns a small consulting and design business, will try to unseat one of two Republican delegates in the September primary. The District 5A representatives are Del. Nancy R. Stocksdale, 75, and Del. Tanya T. Shewell, 65. Stocksdale has been a delegate for 15 years, and Shewell was appointed to a vacant seat in 2004 and elected 2006.

Ready said he is "not specifically targeting one or the other" of the sitting delegates. "We just need a change," he said

In July, Ready was fired by James Pelura, then the chairman of the state Republican Party, for what Pelura called "personnel reasons." The ouster contributed to a no-confidence vote in Pelura, who stepped down late last year.

In a press release announcing his candidacy, Ready, who also has worked as a staff member in the state Senate and House of Delegates, said he is "saddened and disappointed by the lack of fiscal discipline" in Annapolis.

"It is clear that we need a new direction, new leadership, and fresh ideas,” he said.