Republican Al Ramirez, a part-time Palm Desert resident, has opened an exploratory committee to run against U.S. Sen. Dianne Feinstein.

Ramirez in 2010 ran against U.S. Sen. Barbara Boxer, a Rancho Mirage Democrat. But he barely made a blip on the statewide campaign radar.

Ramirez hopes to fare better in the new open primary system.

“While fairly called a long shot challenger against an incumbent, I offer a unique strategy as a Hispanic Republican in California,” Ramirez said in a press release announcing his candidacy.

“Furthermore, I am running because, in the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression, the voters deserve better than re-electing an incumbent by default.”

At least 10 other Republicans are also trying to unseat Feinstein this year.