Sen. Kay O’Connor, R-Olathe, officially filed on Thursday to seek the Republican nomination for the statewide office of secretary of state.

“Clean elections are essential for a healthy democratic process, and I feel we are at risk if we do not bring much needed attention and accountability to the office,” she said in a statement.

O’Connor, a retired teacher and accountant, won Senate elections in 2000 and 2004. She also served for eight years in the Kansas House beginning in 1993.

The conservative senator has gained media attention because she once said women’s right to vote was a sign that American society didn’t value families enough. O’Connor has stood by her remarks and said she expects voters to dismiss that controversy.

Republican Ron Thornburgh was first elected to the office in 1994. He has announced that he will seek re-election.