Former Republican Assemblywoman Valerie Weber is running for one of the most competitive state Senate districts on the 2018 ballot.

Weber, who served three terms in the Assembly between 2002 and 2008, announced Monday that she was running for one of the few "swing" state Senate districts with close voter registration totals between the two parties.

"Serving constituents in the Legislature is a privilege; it's not something to do on a whim for publicity or ego," she said in a statement. "It's simple – you are there to represent, protect, and serve your constituents. I have a record of service in the Assembly and a lifelong commitment to being honest, open, and accountable to those I interact with in life. I believe running for elected office requires that your head, heart, and values are aligned."

Since leaving the Legislature, Weber completed her PhD in Human and Organizing Systems at Fielding Graduate University in Santa Barbara. She also works as an adjunct professor at the College of Southern Nevada and a faculty member at the University of Phoenix.

The seat is held by Sen. Patricia Farley, who was elected as a Republican but switched her party registration to nonpartisan ahead of the 2017 legislative session. Former state Sen. Elizabeth Helgelien, who resigned from office in 2012  following a difficult divorce, announced her candidacy for the seat last year.

As of December 2017, the west Las Vegas district had 26,529 registered Democrats and 25,934 registered Republicans, a close 37 to 36 percent margin among the 72,218 registered voters in the district.