Colorado Springs businesswoman Brenda Krause has her work cut out for her in House District 15 in Colorado Springs. The Democrat, a first-time candidate, is running in a legislative district that’s preferred Republicans against incumbent Rep. Dave Williams.

In the 2016 election Williams won his first term, with 68 percent of the vote. Republicans have won the seat by comfortable margins for two decades in the eastern Colorado Springs district.

Williams maintains a comfortable lead in fundraising headed into the last weeks of the campaign, as well, records show.

Krause, who has a background in the mental health profession, said has been active in Democratic politics on local, state and national campaigns and also served as a delegate to the 2008 Democratic National Convention.

“There is unease in our world due to the negative messaging all around us that divides us, and I want to help change that negative dialogue,” she said in a statement. “I am running, in part, to rectify the underfunding of our infrastructure and schools that has resulted from decades of irresponsible taxation practices. Hopefully I can serve the residents of District 15 in the legislature in a positive way.”

Krause also cited her desire to represent the middle class in an effort to increase wages and maintain affordable health care.

She said she would work with Republicans on common goals: “safer schools and neighborhoods, world-class education and better roads.”

Education is her primary issue, she said.

“Any society is only as good the level of education of its people,” Krause said. “I think to underfund education is denying our youth the opportunity to be the most successful citizens that they can be. Colorado ranks 46th in the nation in teacher salaries. We can do better.”