INDIANAPOLIS (AP): The leader of a central Indiana school district is seeking to become the Republican challenger to Democratic state schools Superintendent Glenda Ritz in this year’s election.

Yorktown Community Schools Superintendent Jennifer McCormick announced her candidacy during a Statehouse news conference Thursday. McCormick is the first Republican to formally launch a challenge to Ritz, who has faced numerous education-policy battles against GOP Gov. Mike Pence and Republican lawmakers since she took office in 2013.

McCormick says her goals as state superintendent would include striving for excellence rather than political squabbling.

McCormick has been the top administrator of the school district near Muncie since 2010 after previously being an English teacher and elementary school principal.

The Republican nominee will be picked during this summer’s state party convention.

Correction: The Associated Press has incorrectly identified McCormick as the first Republican challenger to Glenda Ritz. IPFW adjunct faculty member Dawn Wooten announced her candidacy this past September.