ROCHESTER — State Sen. Carla Nelson, R-Rochester, announced Monday she would be a candidate for the First District Congressional race in 2018.

Nelson, 60, who has served in both the House and Senate in the Minnesota Legislature over the past 14 years, made an abbreviated announcement in light of the Las Vegas shootings the night before.

“While I have decided to run for Congress, today is not a day for campaigning. This is a solemn day for our nation, a time when we need to come together and pray for the victims of Las Vegas, their families and all who have been affected by this tragedy,” she wrote on her campaign blog.

“I look forward to the days and weeks to come as my campaign gears up, but for now I hope everyone will continue to keep the victims, their families, and the first responders in their thoughts and prayers.”

The First District seat is held by Rep. Tim Walz, a Mankato Democrat, who will run for governor in 2018.

Nelson, a former teacher and Rochester businesswoman, served as a representative from House District 30A from 2003-2005, and then in 2010 was elected to the District 26 seat in the Minnesota Senate. Currently, she is the

She joins only one other Republican challenger, Jim Hagedorn of Blue Earth, and eight Democrats. They are Johnny Akzam of Rochester, John Austinson of Eyota, Daniel Feehan of North Mankato, Vicki Jensen of Owatonna, Colin Minehart of Albert Lea, Regina Mustafa of Rochester, Joe Sullivan of Mankato and Rich Wright of Rochester.