The state's highest elected woman is aiming even higher today.

Lieutenant Governor Jacqueline Coleman announced her candidacy for the 2027 governor's race.

As our Mackenzie Spinks explains, the former educator and basketball coach says she spent two years asking Kentuckians what they want in a governor and says she's ready to tackle the issues that matter.

And then, while several states haven't had their first female governor yet, Jaclyn Coleman wants to be Kentucky's second.

As you walk down the hall behind me, you'll notice that Martha Lane is the only woman in the history of our Commonwealth to serve as governor.

And I think it's time we change that.

So it is with deep pride in the work that we've accomplished to this point.

With abounding hope for a future, we can offer together an immense gratitude and love for my fellow Kentuckians that today I declare my candidacy to be the next governor of the Commonwealth of Kentucky.

Coleman says she's proud of the work the current administration has done for the economy, but that she's not resting on laurels with the backing of a local labor union already.

Holman says workforce development will be one of her top priorities.

Kentucky now is not the time to take our foot off the gas.

As a matter of fact, I happen to believe the next governor of the Commonwealth, whoever she may be, will need to focus on economic and workforce development and compliment that progress with a newfound concentration on people development.

And I am beyond honored to announce that on day one of this campaign, I have been endorsed by the Teamsters Local 89.

As a former teacher and assistant principal.

It's no surprise that bolstering public education is also one of Coleman's campaign focuses.

She vows to continue the fight for universal pre-K in Kentucky.

We have to put kids first.

We have to support the people who show up for our kids every day, and we have to make sure our schools have the resources to do what we need them to do.

We can invest in our kids on the front end, or we are literally going to pay for it on the back end, and I will not stop.

And as governor, I will not stop until pre-K is a reality for every Kentucky family.

Coleman also mentioned access to mental health care and improving the foster care system as other key issues in her campaign.

Lieutenant Governor Coleman is the first candidate to announce an official run for Kentucky Governor.

For Kentucky Edition, I'm Mackenzie Spink.

The governor's race is not in this current election cycle.

The governor seat will be open in 2027, as Governor Andy Beshear will complete his second and final term.

The Republican Party of Kentucky says Coleman doesn't deserve a promotion.

In a statement, they said in part, quote, from her mismanagement of the unemployment system during Covid, including giving friends, her hairdresser and other associates special treatment over Kentuckians in need.

To being ousted as leader of the Education and Workforce Development Cabinet.

Her record shows a pattern of poor leadership and misplaced priorities, consistently putting her own interests above the needs of Kentucky families.