Minnesota state Sen. Karin Housley (R) launched a bid for Senate on Tuesday, making her the first Republican to enter the special election race to replace Sen. Al Franken Alan (Al) Stuart FrankenGOP Senate candidate says Trump, Republicans will surprise in Minnesota Peterson faces fight of his career in deep-red Minnesota district Getting tight — the psychology of cancel culture MORE (D), who is expected to resign in the coming weeks.



In a video posted on her Twitter account, Housley played up her deep roots in the state as the daughter of Minnesota school teachers.



She said she’d fight to protect veterans, senior citizens and “the unborn.” Housley, who owns a local real estate company, said she’d be an advocate for small businesses.



“I’m Karin Housley and I’m running for U.S. Senate,” she says in the launch video. “You might be asking yourself — why would anyone want to go to Washington right now and be part of that dysfunction they call Congress? Actually, I can’t think of any place in this country more in need of someone like me right now.”

Now more than ever, we need the voice of a businesswoman, mom and advocate for all in Congress. Join me in my journey to be a New Voice for Minnesota in the United States Senate! Visit https://t.co/VPnh3TE7mi today! #HousleyforSenate #ANewVoice pic.twitter.com/jTvzEvfU3b — Karin Housley (@KarinHousley) December 19, 2017

Franken has said he will resign after his Democratic colleagues in the Senate pressured him to step aside amid a growing list of sexual harassment allegations against him.



Minnesota Gov. Mark Dayton (D) has tapped Lt. Gov. Tina Smith (D) to fill the spot on an interim basis. Franken is expected to officially vacate the seat in January.



Smith has said she will run in the November 2018 special election to complete the remaining two years of Franken’s term.



Housley is so far the only Republican challenger, although former Gov. Tim Pawlenty (R-Minn.) is believed to be mulling a bid.