Karin Housley, who runs a real estate business in Washington County and is married to former NHL star and U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame member Phil Housley, is charging onto the political ice to run for state Senate in District 57.

She'll seek the Republican Party endorsement to run against DFL incumbent Katie Sieben of Newport.

In an announcement, Housley said:

"Like most people, I never thought I'd run for political office. I'm a small business owner. Before that, I was a stay-at-home mom, an author and the 'CEO' of the Housley family. I've followed politics forever and I'm passionate about my political beliefs, but I always thought I'd just voice these beliefs through my votes. Until now.

"Our state is in trouble. The career politicians in charge at the Capitol cannot get anything positive accomplished for average Minnesotans. And the few things they do get done are usually just payoffs to the special interests, taking our state down the wrong path. At every turn we're going further into debt. Jobs are being cut, companies are moving out of the state, and tax breaks are being given to people who don't even pay taxes."

Senate District 57 includes the communities of South St. Paul, Cottage Grove, Hastings, St. Paul Park, Newport, Afton, St. Mary's Point, Denmark Township, Grey Cloud Island Township and Nininger Township.

Sieben is in her first Senate term but represented the area as a House member from 2002-2006.