LINCOLN — The race for the Republican nomination for governor now has one more competitor.

Former State Sen. Theresa Thibodeau, of Omaha, officially announced her entry into the primary race on Wednesday. She joins veteran Michael Connely, businessman Charles Herbster, State Sen. Brett Lindstrom, University of Nebraska Regent Jim Pillen and businessman Breland Ridenour.

Current Gov. Pete Ricketts is term-limited and cannot run.

Thibodeau was appointed by Ricketts to the Nebraska Legislature in 2017 to fill a vacancy in Omaha's 9th Legislative District. She was defeated in her bid for re-election in 2018 by Machaela Cavanaugh.

Thibodeau has also served as chair of the Douglas County Republican Party. She was previously announced as Herbster’s running mate, but she dropped out of his campaign in July.

The newly announced candidate is expected to participate in a town hall event in Weeping Water on Saturday. Also expected to participate are Connely, Lindstrom and Ridenour.

The lone Democratic candidate to announce their candidacy is State Sen. Carol Blood. Libertarian candidate Scott Zimmerman has also announced his intentions to run.