Former U.S. Rep. Renee Ellmers of North Carolina is running again for elected office, this time to become the next lieutenant governor.
The Harnett County Republican made her announcement on Wednesday, weeks after she floated the idea to seek the No. 2 statewide executive office in 2020. Current GOP Lt. Gov. Dan Forest is planning to run for governor. Several Democrats and Republicans already are running to succeed Forest.
Ellmers was first elected to Congress in 2010, upsetting Democratic incumbent Bob Etheridge. She served three terms but lost to current Rep. George Holding in the 2016 Republican primary after redistricting had them running for the same 2nd District seat.
After leaving Congress, Ellmers worked as southeast regional director for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.