U.S. Rep. Tulsi Gabbard is running for president in 2020.

The Hawaii congresswoman, a Democrat, told CNN’s Van Jones in an interview set to air at 7 p.m. Saturday on CNN’s “The Van Jones Show” that she will make her formal announcement within the next week.

The 2020 Democratic field is wide open and likely to get crowded.

Gabbard, the first Hindu in Congress and a military veteran born in American Samoa, is among the first in her party to declare her presidential intentions.

Cory Lum/Civil Beat

Update: Late Friday, Gabbard released a statement that read in part as follows:

There are many reasons I’m offering to serve you as President — to ensure every American gets the healthcare they need, to bring about comprehensive immigration reform, to make sure we have clean water and clean air for generations to come, to fix our broken criminal justice system, to end the corrupt influence of special interests in Washington, and so much more. But the main reason I’m running has to do with an issue that is central to the rest — war and peace. I look forward to talking with you more about this in the coming days.

The announcement from Gabbard, 37, comes as national media are paying more attention to her background and positions.

Gabbard is a former Honolulu City Council member and member of the Hawaii House of Representatives.

She was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 2012 and is now in her fourth term.

Gabbard’s presidential run has been rumored for some time. She recently visited New Hampshire and is expected in Iowa later this month. The states are home to the first major election contests in the 2020 race.

Gabbard’s father, Mike Gabbard, is a Hawaii state senator. Her mother, Carol Gabbard, formerly served on the Hawaii Board of Education.