CHICAGO — Former U.S. Rep. Debbie Halvorson says she's officially running to replace Jesse Jackson Jr. in Congress.

Halvorson launched her campaign Monday, saying she's received numerous calls from elected officials, community leaders and residents of the 2nd Congressional District urging her to run. In a statement Monday, Halvorson touts her experience in Congress and says that will allow her to get to work without having to go through freshman orientation, if she's elected.

Halvorson lost to Jackson in the Democratic primary this year. She'd served in Congress before losing the 2010 election in what was the 11th Congressional District before district lines were redrawn.