ST. PAUL, MINN. (AP)

A doctor who ran for Lieutenant Governor on the Independence Party ticket now aims to run as a Democrat in Minnesota’s 6th Congressional District.

Dr. Maureen reed says she will file as a DFL candidate and seek endorsement from both the DFL and Independence parties.

She is the first Democrat to take formal steps to challenge U.S. Rep. Michele Bachmann, a Republican.

Reed says she wants to emphasize economic growth, home ownership and health care cost cuts.

She ran for Lieutenant Governor with the Independence Party's Peter Hutchinson in 2006. Reed has also been an executive at Aspen Medical Group and Healthpartners and is a former chairwoman of the University of Minnesota Board of Regents.

Reed plans a formal campaign announcement in the summer.

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