ST. PAUL — A former Minnesota state senator is running to replace Rep. Tim Walz in what will likely be a hard-fought race for his southern Minnesota Congressional district.

Vicki Jensen announced her campaign Monday for the 1st Congressional District. Jensen is a Democrat who lost last fall after serving one-term representing the Owatonna area in the Senate.

Walz is leaving Congress after six terms to run for Minnesota governor. His departure turns the district into a full-blown swing seat that both parties have signaled they’ll compete for.

Republican Jim Hagedorn nearly defeated Walz last year in a surprisingly close election. Hagedorn is already campaigning for 2018 but more Republicans may enter the field.

Jensen says she’d fight for farm families, job training and infrastructure improvements in Congress.