Marci Francisco, a former Lawrence city commissioner and mayor, is a candidate for the Kansas 2nd District Senate position held by Republican Mark Buhler.

Francisco, 54, said her filing papers were to be taken Monday to the Kansas Secretary of State’s Office in Topeka. No other Democrat has filed for the Senate position.

Don Johnson, a Republican, filed last week as a candidate to challenge Buhler in the primary.

Francisco said she was running because several people asked her to and because there were several major issues facing the Kansas Legislature, including continuing concerns about education funding.

“I have been a strong supporter of public education but did argue this past year that we shouldn’t, and, in fact, currently can’t use a local sales tax to fund it,” Francisco said in a news release. “Along with many others in Lawrence I’m disappointed that the Legislature was no closer to increasing funding for our local schools on the last day of the Legislature, and I’m willing to step forward and offer to take on some of that responsibility.”

Francisco also said she wanted to help Gov. Kathleen Sebelius in her efforts to streamline state government so savings could be invested in education and the economy.

Francisco served on the Lawrence City Commission from 1979 to 1983. She was mayor from 1981 to 1983. She works in Kansas University’s space management office.

Buhler, 49, has held the Senate seat since 2002, when he was selected by Douglas County Republican officials to complete the term of Sandy Praeger, who became insurance commissioner. Johnson, 50, is a Lawrence businessman. Johnson and Buhler will face off in the Aug. 3 primary.

The candidate filing deadline is Thursday.