Jodi Stephens, former legislative director for Gov. Jim Gibbons, has announced her candidacy for the Nevada Assembly.
Stephens, 35, is a third-generation Nevadan who grew up in Hawthorne.
She will challenge fellow Republican Don Gustavson in District 32, which includes parts of Humboldt, Lander and Washoe counties.
She said strengthening Nevada's economy will provide jobs for residents and improve the tax revenue that comes to the state.
"The most effective way to create additional funding for schools, public safety and assistance for the less fortunate is to improve the private sector that funds our government," she said.
Stephens holds a B.A. in political science from UNR and a professional degree in secondary education. In addition to being legislative director for Gibbons, she worked for him when he was in Congress as rural director, serving as liaison between the federal government and Nevadans, advocacy groups and state and local governments.
She has received support from Sen. Randolph Townsend, Senate minority leader Bill Raggio and Assemblyman Pete Goicoechea as well as other members of the Assembly GOP caucus.