CHICAGO — U.S. Rep. Robin Kelly announced her bid for U.S. Senate on Tuesday morning.

Kelly made the announcement in a video message shared on social media early Tuesday morning.

“I’m running for U.S. Senate because at this critical time, we need leaders with the experience to tackle the toughest challenges,” Kelly stated in a social media post on Tuesday morning. “I’ve never backed down — not from gun lobbyists, not from MAGA extremists, and certainly not from fighting for what is just.”

Kelly’s announcement arrives just under two weeks after Illinois Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton declared her candidacy for the senate, as candidates vie to succeed retiring U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin.

Stratton has already received endorsements from Illinois Governor JB Pritzker and Senator Tammy Duckworth.

Kelly is currently the representative for the 2nd Congressional District, a role she has held since 2013. Before this, she was the chief of staff for Illinois Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias and served as Chief Administrative Officer for Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle.