Paula Overby, a 59-year-old transgender quality assurance analyst, filed federal paperwork this week to run in Minnesota’s 2nd District, becoming the third Democrat to enter a crowded primary in this top-target race in the midterm cycle.

Overby is looking to unseat Rep. John Kline, R-Minn., who won the seat in 2012 by 8 points, even as President Barack Obama and GOP presidential nominee Mitt Romney each received 49 percent of the district’s vote.

Overby told the Pioneer Press that she believes she is the first openly transgender person from Minnesota to run for Congress.

She will face former state Rep. Mike Obermueller, who lost this contest to Kline last cycle, and political novice Thomas Craft in a Democratic primary.

Minnesota’s 2nd District is rated a Republican Favored contest by Rothenberg Political Report/Roll Call.