French, a Republican, is seeking to fill the seat that is currently held by Rep. Paul DeMarco, R-Homewood. DeMarco announced last month that he is running for Congress in 2014.
"As a lifelong conservative and a financial professional, I want to take my business training and my philosophy of limited-government to Montgomery to help create jobs for the people of Jefferson County," French, 51, said in a statement announcing his campaign.
"We need elected officials who understand financial issues, who understand balancing a budget, who understand that government, like families, must live within its means, and we must demand a 'zero tolerance' attitude towards corruption."
French is senior vice-president of business development at Sterne Agee. He was executive director of the Alabama Republican Party from 1988 to 1991.
French spent three terms in the Alabama Senate. He lost his Senate seat in the 2010 Republican primary to Sen. Slade Blackwell in a year that was tough on legislative incumbents.
DeMarco's decision to run for Congress is expected to set off a chain reaction of many Republicans vying for his legislative seat which represents portions of Hoover, Homewood and Mountain Brook.
Story will be updated.