(AP) — Former Republican state senator Jean Schodorf says she will run for Kansas Secretary of State next year as a Democrat.

Schodorf, from Wichita, confirmed her intention to run Tuesday during a meeting of the Saline County Democratic Party.  Schodorf will challenge incumbent Republican Secretary of State Kris Kobach.

After serving 12 years in the state Senate as a moderate Republican, she lost a bid for re-election after conservative Republicans targeted her for defeat in 2012. Schodorf switched her party affiliation to Democrat in September 2012.

Schodorf said she plans to officially file for office Oct. 11.

Mission Hills businessman Randy Rolston already has filed to run for the Democratic nomination.