Attorney Shelley Adler, the widow of former Rep. John Adler (D-N.J.), announced today that she plans to run for the 3rd district seat once held by her husband.

“For several months, I weighed running for the seat formerly held by my late husband to continue his legacy of public service,” Adler said in a statement. “This will be an issue-based campaign that will create a real discussion of the challenges facing our country.”

John Adler lost re-election to now-Rep. Jon Runyan (R) in 2010 in a close, 3-point race in the south New Jersey district. Adler died last April.

Shelley Adler’s news release indicated that her campaign’s intent is to paint Runyan as a Washington insider, referring to “politicians playing games in Washington.”

“I welcome Mrs. Adler into the race,” Runyan said in a statement. “If she is ultimately the Democratic nominee, I look forward to a spirited campaign on the issues that matter to the residents of Burlington and Ocean counties.”

A formal announcement will come at a to-be-determined date. The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee heavily recruited Adler.

Redistricting in 2011 made this a slightly more difficult seat for Democrats to recapture. Adler’s Cherry Hill residence was drawn out of the district, but she plans to move into the district.

John Adler’s 2008 victory was an anomaly in the traditionally Republican district. President Barack Obama’s coattails were widely credited with his victory.

Still, Democrats say he only narrowly lost in the 2010 cycle, one of the most difficult years for the party. They also say Obama will remain a net benefit to Democrats on the ballot in New Jersey in the fall.