In late September Sherry Menor-McNamara told Civil Beat she was seriously considering running for lieutenant governor.

On Wednesday, she made it official.

“As we turn the page on Covid-19, a strong and innovative economic recovery plan is critical to the financial survival of our families, small businesses, and our state,” the first-time candidate said in a press release. “I want to work shoulder-to-shoulder with the next Governor to navigate the challenges ahead.”

Her focus will include “jumpstarting our economy, lowering the cost of living, and making sure our young people have the best opportunities for success.”

Menor-McNamara, who is president and CEO of the Chamber of Commerce Hawaii, was raised in Hilo and earned a bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of California at Los Angeles.

She received her law degree from the William S. Richardson School of Law and her master’s of business administration degree from the Shidler College of Business at the University of Hawaii Manoa.

Although her press release did not say so, she will run as a Democrat.

That means Menor-McNamara joins a growing field of candidates that so far includes former state Sen. Jill Tokuda, former Honolulu Council Chairman Ikaika Anderson and current House Finance Chairwoman Sylvia Luke.

Gov. David Ige will complete his second and final term in office next year, while Lt. Gov. Josh Green, who is in his first term, is expected to run to replace him.

Former First Lady Vicky Cayetano is also running for governor as a Democrat, and former Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell is raising money to do as well.

Paul Morgan is seeking the Republican nomination for governor.