Sally Doty is throwing her hat into the ring.

The Republican state senator from Brookhaven plans to file Monday to run for the 3rd District U.S. Congress seat held by Gregg Harper.

Harper announced his intent to retire from the representative job earlier this month.

Doty will hold a press conference at 10:15 a.m. Monday at the state Republican Party headquarters to officially announce her candidacy.

She’s planning a rally in Brookhaven Jan. 26 at Railroad Park.

Doty has chosen Hunter Foster, a Loyd Star and Mississippi College graduate, to head up her campaign.

“He has been very involved in numerous campaigns. When I started looking for someone to assist me, it was pretty easy to choose Hunter,” she said.

Doty said she will continue representing District 39 in Jackson while she campaigns. The current legislative session will end in late March and the primary election will be June 5. Doty said her campaign won’t interfere with her job as senator.

“During that time, I will be juggling my responsibilities,” she said.

Doty, a Brookhaven attorney, has represented Lincoln, Lawrence, Copiah and Walthall counties since her election in 2011.

She was recently appointed by Lt. Gov. Tate Reeves to serve as chair of the Energy Committee.

If elected, Doty would be the first female in Congress for the state of Mississippi.

Michael Guest of Brandon, Whit Hughes of Madison and Perry Parker of Seminary have also qualified for the 3rd District seat. The qualifying deadline for the seat isn’t until March so others may still join the race.