State Rep. Stephen Casey (D-Woonsocket) plans this week to join the growing Democratic field in the 1st Congressional District.

Casey, 54, said he wasn’t ready to discuss his campaign in detail after being contacted Saturday by The Public’s Radio, but said he plans to move forward with a campaign this week and have more to say in the near future.

A 17-year firefighter in Woonsocket, Casey was first elected to the House in 2012. He chairs the House Committee on Municipal Government and Housing.

With Casey, at least six Democrats are running in the race to succeed outgoing U.S. Rep. David Cicilline: former Gina Raimondo staffer Nick Autiello, state Rep. Nathan Biah of Providence, state Sen. Sandra Cano of Pawtucket, Lt. Gov. Sabina Matos and former Republican Allen Waters.

More candidates are expected to get in the race, possibly including Pawtucket Mayor Don Grebien and White House staffer Gabe Amo, a Pawtucket native.

Casey has a somewhat more conservative profile than the other candidates.

He said he’s running because he believes he can do the job.

Casey said he has no expectations about getting the state party endorsement, a process largely controlled by the House speaker.

The primary election in CD1, which will likely determine Cicilline’s successor, is expected to take place in August or September.

Ian Donnis can be reached at idonnis@ripr.org. Follow him on Twitter @IanDon. Sign up here for his weekly RI politics and media newsletter.