Gov. Kay Ivey finally put in words today what her actions had said for weeks - she's running for a full term as Alabama's governor next year.

"Four months ago, I was sworn in as the 54th Governor of the State of Alabama," Ivey said in a statement. "There hasn't been a more humbling moment in my life. That so many of you have supported and prayed for me and my team means the world--and it's our highest honor to serve you.

"I took over at one of that darkest times in our state's memory. I'm proud to say we've steadied the ship. Now it's time to steer it to continued conservative progress and prosperity."

The official announcement comes after Ivey had already started taking campaign contributions from some of the state's most powerful businesses and interest groups and visited cities across the state on a "listen and learn" tour.

Ivey was in her second term as lieutenant governor when Gov. Robert Bentley resigned on April 10. Ivey said then her first priority was to "steady the ship of state" after the year-long scandal that forced Bentley out.

At a press conference in July marking her first 100 days in office, Ivey said she believed she had accomplished that first priority and talked more about the future.

In August, she filed the paperwork necessary to begin raising money and in just a few weeks racked up $1 million in contributions.

Ivey joins a race for the Republican nomination that includes Huntsville Mayor Tommy Battle, Jefferson County Commissioner David Carrington, Birmingham evangelist Scott Dawson, state corrections officer Stacy George, state Sen. Bill Hightower of Mobile, Birmingham businessman Joshua Jones and Agriculture Commissioner John McMillan.

Battle sent out a press release in response to Ivey's announcement:

"I welcome Governor Ivey to the discussions we have been having over the last few months - conversations about jobs, infrastructure, and education," Battle said. "These are the same core topics the Battle For Alabama campaign was built on. Since I announced in April my intention to run for governor, I've traveled the state and shared my plan on how to improve job creation and recruitment statewide, what it takes to make better infrastructure investments, and how to create an education system that will power job growth for the next generation of students."

Dawson welcomed Ivey to the race.

"I welcome Governor Ivey to the grand conversation on the future of Alabama," Dawson said in a statement.

"Since June I have met with thousands who tell me they want a return to values we can be proud of, improving education, jobs and our quality of life. They want an end to the corruption that has plagued our state. People tell me they are tired of politicians who have all the answers but solve nothing. I believe that we must turn the ship of state, not continue the current course.

"I thank Governor Ivey for her service and I look forward to hearing her plans to change the course in Alabama."

On the Democratic side, former Supreme Court Chief Justice Sue Bell Cobb is running, and Tuscaloosa Mayor Walt Maddox has formed a committee to raise money and is considering a run.

Updated at 11:50 a.m. to add statement from Scott Dawson.