Senator Jay Rockefeller says there's still a lot to do in Congress, which is why he's running for a fifth term.

The longest-serving junior senator in the United States filed his candidacy papers at the state Capitol today, flanked by family members and friends.

Rockefeller says he's ready to get back to the Senate to start pushing some contentious proposals, including greater oversight for U.S. intelligence agencies and changes to federal aviation policy that would give commercial airliners precedence over small, private jets.

So far, no Republican has stepped forward to challenge Rockefeller, who was first elected to the U.S. Senate in 1984.

State GOP Chairman Dr. Dougas McKinney says potential candidates are scared off by Rockefeller's personal wealth. He says he's uncertain whether anyone will come forward before the January 26th filing deadline.

Rockefeller was joined by his family and West Virginia Governor Joe Manchin for a kickoff celebration at the Charleston House Holiday Inn Saturday morning.