UPDATED: "Game on" says Gloria Zaiger for 64B seat

Gloria Zaiger says she's in.

Zaiger is an IT specialist for US Bank, where she's been for the last 24 years. She's a long time St. Paulite, and long time Como Park area resident. She was also campaign manager for DFL state Rep. Alice Hausman in the 2006 and 2008 cycles. 

Zaiger is making a very enthusiastic commitment on her Facebook page. Here's her announcement:

"I am very excited to make my Big Announcement! I want to let everyone know, I have announced my candidacy for the MN State House of Representatives! I am running for Rep Paymar's open seat in district 64B. I am excited to have this opportunity to serve my district and my state. I long admired Rep Paymar's willingness to take on tough issues, like better background checks on gun purchases and animal cruelty issues. I want to continue his work on those issues and more. I have long been passionate about the environment, especially open space preservation and climate change. Being married to a public school teacher, I am intimately aware of the struggles happening in our schools, and believe we need to do more to highlight the daily battles our educators face to educate our kids. But, I feel we aren't accomplishing all we could for our state because of the anger and bitterness between the parties. I want to emulate our great Senator Amy Klobuchar, who worked with Republican women in the Senate to end the federal shutdown. I know it will take a lot to change the tone in politics, but it has to start somewhere. I want to reach out, listen, and find common ground, and disagree with respect. That's who I am, that why I'm running. I look forward to speaking with you more about the issues and the campaign. Woohoo- game on, folks!"

She moved to 64B in 2009 and has been a caucus organizer for the last two cycles. Zaiger has served in the past as an envelope stuffer, door knocker, affirmative action chair and picnic organizer. 

"I've worn a lot of hats in the DFL," she said in an interview tonight, although she says, most of her work has been has been in District 66.

Zaiger says she's long wanted to see politics as a candidate, and wants primarily to work on environmental issues if she wins.

"I will seek the DFL endorsement," she says. "And I will abide by it."

You can see her campaign Facebook page here.