Hazel Gibson has officially kicked off her campaign for the state Senate District 32 seat in Denver, she tells Colorado Politics.

“I’m running for state Senate to strengthen our community, advocate for our most vulnerable and protect our Colorado way of life,” she told us. “Every day new people flock to our community to build a better life. As our community continues to grow I want to make sure that Denver remains the same great place to live, work and raise a family.”

Gibson worked in audiology for 12 years, before becoming a full-time mother to her two kids. Her 3-year-old was recently diagnosed with autism spectrum, she said. Gibson was raised by a single mom and was the first in her family to get a college degree. Her struggles with the system weren’t over yet, however.

“The uphill battles people deal with while trying to get access to basic human necessities is exhausting,” Gibson said on her campaign website. “I didn’t have insurance until I was in my late 20’s. I had to pay out of pocket for all medications and doctor visits. I was lucky to be able to use Planned Parenthood for yearly cancer screenings.”

She told Colorado Politics, “I am running for Senate because I believe every child – regardless of who they are or where they come from – deserves a chance to succeed.”

She cites a healthy environment, access to quality healthcare, education funding, affordable housing and safe communities as her chief priorities.

Gibson enters a crowded primary field in the race to replace Sen. Irene Aguilar, who is term-limoted. The other Democrats are Zach Neumann, Robert Rodriguez, Peter Smith, Risa White and Lance Wright. No Republicans have yet entered the race, according to the Secretary of State’s Office.

The seat in south-central Denver is safely Democratic. Aguilar won with over two-thirds of the vote in 2014 and more than 70 percent in 2012, after serving a partial term after Chris Romer he stepped down to run, unsuccessfully, for Denver mayor.