Rio Rancho teacher Tonia Harris announced today that she has formed an exploratory committee to consider a bid for the New Mexico State House in District 60, according to a press release distributed by Lincoln Strategy.

Harris is the widow of Sandoval County Sheriff’s Deputy Sgt. Joe Harris, who lost his life in the line of duty earlier this year.

“Joe always believed that it was important to get involved in our community and stand up for what we believe in,” Harris said in the press release. “I am concerned about the direction of our state and have been encouraged by friends, family and neighbors to consider doing something about it by running for the legislature.”

Harris is a native New Mexican. She was born and raised in Roswell and then moved to Albuquerque to attend the University of New Mexico, where she earned a Bachelors of Science and a Masters in Arts in Elementary Education. She is on leave as a literacy specialist at Enchanted Hills Elementary School in Rio Rancho.

House District 60 is considered one of the most competitive districts in New Mexico and is currently represented by freshman Democrat Jack Thomas.

Harris, a Republican, plans to make a final decision about a bid in January.