Former Democratic state Rep. Christina Hale is officially running to fill Susan Brooks' 5th Congressional District seat.

Hale, who was John Gregg's running mate during his 2016 gubernatorial campaign, is a favorite among party insiders who think she has a shot at switching a historically red district to blue.

While the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee hasn't endorsed her, the campaign arm reached out to Hale about running, even as early as 2018.

"This is an opportunity that I've been interested in because it's an opportunity to serve," Hale, 47, told IndyStar on Wednesday. "And I think people are ready for someone who really cares about these practical issues, someone who really cares about Hoosier families, and will be focused on things that make the difference to everyday people, like healthcare, like education opportunity."

Last month Brooks, who has held the seat since 2012, announced she was retiring from Congress to spend more time with family. The decision left state Democrats hopeful that they could capitalize on changing demographics in the suburban portion of the district as populated Hamilton County shifts left.

With Indiana's Susan Brooks bowing out: Hoosiers prepare for tight race in the 5th District

Hale, a Purdue University grad, has experience winning in a district split between Republicans and Democrats: She upset incumbent state Rep. Cindy Noe in a close race in 2012, benefiting in part from redistricting. And during Hale's two terms at the Statehouse, she earned respect from both sides of the aisle, making her an ideal choice as Gregg's running mate in 2016.

As a state lawmaker representing Indianapolis' Far Northside, Hale focused primarily on preventing sexual violence against women and girls and sexual harassment, an issue she says is still important to address in both Indiana and in the country as a whole. She also is focused on ending the opioid epidemic and ensuring access to affordable health care.

During Hale's 2014 reelection bid, she was endorsed by both the AFL-CIO, a statewide labor organization, and the Indiana Chamber of Commerce, a pro-business group that typically leans Republican. That support from two very different groups shows she could win the 5th District, Hale said.

"I think people have really acknowledged that I'm in it for the right reasons, that I care about them," Hale said. "That I'm here to serve the people."

But she also thinks her personal experience will help her stand out among her opponents: She has experience as a single mother, paying off student loans and starting her own career from scratch.

Since her failed bid for lieutenant governor, Hale has served as the executive director of Kiwanis International's Youth Programs.

Elections:Democrat is first to announce bid for Rep. Susan Brooks' congressional seat

Kip Tew, a former Indiana Democratic Party chairman who ran former President Barack Obama's 2008 Indiana campaign, told IndyStar last month that Hale has what it takes to win the 5th District, which stretches northeast from Indianapolis through Hamilton County and includes Madison, Tipton and Grant counties.

"She's proven that she can win in marginal districts: She took over a Republican district when she ran for state rep," Tew said. "She's got a great network throughout the state. She knows how to raise money."

Even before Brooks' retirement, national Democrats were targeting her district, in hopes that the same trend that helped Democrats win other affluent suburban districts in 2018 could happen here. But in 2018, Brooks bucked the trend of other suburban districts and beat Democrat Dee Thornton by 13 percentage points.

Hale said she would have ran this year even if Brooks hadn't resigned. Without a Republican incumbent in the upcoming election with strong name recognition, there’s room for a Democrat to make some gains in 2020, political experts say.

Hale said she is optimistic she can win.

But Republicans have a long list of potential candidates who are already in politics or are leaders in the community.

Brooks has said she is confident Republicans will hang onto the seat without her.

"I feel very positive about the 5th District," Brooks said in an interview with USA Today when she announced her retirement. "It’s been a Republican seat for decades and I feel very comfortable that it’s going to remain a Republican seat."

So far, only one Republican has filed to run: Micah Beckwith, a student worship pastor at Northview Church in Carmel.

State Sen. John Ruckelshaus, R-Indianapolis, has also indicated his interest, and former U.S. Rep. Todd Rokita has thrown his support behind former state Sen. Mike Delph, a conservative stalwart who lost his state Senate seat in the 2018 election. Delph himself has not said whether he plans to run.

Thornton, a corporate consultant from Carmel who lost to Brooks in 2018, and Jennifer Christie, who ran in the Democratic primary in 2018, have already filed to run as Democrats.

Call IndyStar reporter Kaitlin Lange at 317-432-9270. Follow her on Twitter: @kaitlin_lange.