We continue our look tonight at next year's race for the U.S. Senate.

Trey Grayson and rand Paul are getting most of the headlines, but Johnson says he’s in the race to win.

Bill Johnson is a Western Kentucky businessman and Gulf War Veteran.

He bills himself as a Reagan conservative, pushing lower taxes, a strong military and traditional family values.

He says our country is under attack from the war on terror, and here at home.

“We also have domestic forces who are trying to change our way of life,” Johnson saysa. “Destroy our way of life. And so I felt compelled to get involved.”

Johnson, along with Secretary of State Trey Grayson and Bowling Green eye doctor, Rand Paul are running for the republican nomination to fill Jim Bunning’s U.S. Senate seat in 2010.

Johnson says unlike his opponents, he is not a politician, and he's not owned by any political party.

“I’m running as a republican but I’m standing on my own two feet,” Johnson says. “Everything I do in this race is through my efforts and my support I’m able to get from volunteers and others.”

Johnson says if elected, his background on energy would help eliminate regulations that hurt the coal industry.

“Having worked for an energy company, one of our principles was always to do no harm to the environment,” Johnson says. “Because those that work for these companies live in those communities. And they want a clean community to live in. And I think we can do it responsibly and I support it “

Johnson says is not in favor of a public option for health care in America.

“Beyond Medicare, Medicaid and veterans benefits I support no further expansion of the public option for health care,” Johnson says.

Johnson believes the biggest problem facing Kentucky today is jobs.

“Manufacturing is critical to our country and our state,” Johnson says. “We need to continue to have good energy jobs in this part of the state. Support the coal industry. I think it's really all about jobs.”

Johnson says you can no longer tell the difference between Washington republicans and democrats.

He says if he's elected, he could help republicans return to their conservative roots.