Former state Rep. Pam Gulleson (D) announced a bid late last week for North Dakota’s lone House seat.

Calling herself a “proven independent voice,” the former aide to ex-Sen. Byron Dorgan (D-N.D.) emphasized her ability to bridge the partisan divide in her announcement.

“The problems facing our country are huge, and I’ll work across party lines to get things done for small businesses, farmers, communities — right here in North Dakota,” she said in a statement.

Public Service Commissioner Brian Kalk (R) has also declared his candidacy for the open seat.

The at-large seat became open when freshman Rep. Rick Berg (R) decided to run for Senate. Berg won his seat in 2010 with 55 percent of the vote.

Correction: Sept. 26, 2011

The original version of this story incorrectly identified the state where former North Dakota state Rep. Pam Gulleson is running.